A federal class-action suit questions compensation guidelines in a largely unregulated industry and seeks to increase donors’ negotiating power. Women are going to take things into their own hands, they say. Ouch! Thought Marquel.
But the donors are going forward. “This is a business. We’re going to run it as a business,” said one experienced donor who has donated six eggs so far. “The first two I received $10,000 for. Truthfully that hardly covered expenses.” The last four were in the six figures, “$100,000-$250,000. And now it’s profitable.”
“With Eggs R Us,” she said, pointing to an internet site run by egg donors. “This is a business. That’s it’s name.”
In fact, as Marquel discovered, it’s a competitive business. A rival operation, “Over Easy,” prides itself in its ‘MBA donor’ operation, and brags that it doesn’t just screen donors but also donees. “We have high quality products. We don’t sell to just anybody.” Their spokesperson said. All their eggs come from women with graduate degrees from Ivy schools.
Indeed Marquel visited Over Easy. They listed the achievements of their donees. One egg donor, called Martha W, had produced three honor roll students, So far only in junior high school. Over Easy was running a Martha W special,
“This week only. Two eggs for the price of one. Ever thought of fraternal twins? Fraternal honour roll twins?” Marquel was amazed.
Over at Eggs R Us it was no different. They were issuing not only gift cards but loyalty cards. If you implanted six Eggs R Us eggs, whether or not successful, the seventh was on them.
Marquel was astonished at the sheer commercialism. He asked, “isn’t there something too sacred to do this like this?” He asked, pointing to the specials, the loyalty cards, and the offer of a free egg for two referrals.
“Babies are special,” said one donor. “Eggs are not. When I donate an egg, that’s a business transaction. When it’s fertilized, that’s something else.”
Marquel was afraid of getting into some sort of right-to-life argument so he dropped the subject.
“But here, you say you give 25% off each and every egg if the recipient agrees to have the baby tattooed with your logo. Isn’t that a bit much?” I asked.
“Suppose somebody wants the same thing? How would they know who to contact? If the baby is special, and all of ours are, a prospective mother would know to come to us to get an equal quality product.” Said a spokesperson.
The woman shrugged her shoulders. “Worse things could happen.”
Babies are special.
I read the Times’ article. You made it sound stupid. I don’t like that.
Harvesting eggs from women can be very damaging.
Despite the pretty picture you give there is an ugly reality. Poor women will give their eggs to the highest bidder no matter what. And if it is not regulated the attorneys will get most of the money. Hah! Who will be laughing once it is regulated?
People. Marquel writes satire…It is funny. Chill.