22 - Future fertility insurance

Summary

William Ledger: Thanks very much for three very good talks. While the other speakers are returning, perhaps I could ask Professor Dickenson to comment as you have a professional and personal interest in this topic.

Donna Dickenson: Thank you very much. I have in fact written a book on this. I think the situation is actually even grimmer than Melanie portrayed it — and it is quite grim as she portrayed it. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) does set a maximum, or recommends there is a maximum, of US$5,000 but surveys indicate that currently only half of its members obey it. There have been substantiated reports of up to US$100,000. There have also been substantiated evidence-based reports of up to 70 eggs being taken in only one cycle. The other thing which is quite worrying is that although we say that it is an American phenomenon, even in America you cannot buy and sell organs. However, there is an ambivalence in the relevant 1987 Act, which actually makes an exception to the general principle, because gametes, as it puts it, are renewable tissue. So gametes are exempted. So, it is all based on a massive legislative mistake! It is worrying, as you quite rightly point out, that the trade is developing in Eastern Europe, Spain and Cyprus. There is very strong evidence, not just in the Observer report, but further reports since, of a massive element of trafficking also involved. So, I think the situation is bad. There are a few favourable signs such as the European Union directive barring the sale of eggs for IVF, but not for stem cell research.