Eggs for Research Hullaballoo Schmullaballoo

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in the U.K. has authorized stem cell researchers to recruit women to donate their eggs, even if they're not already undergoing IVF.

During IVF, women often produce more eggs than they need, so scientists sometimes ask for the leftovers for their experiments. But if a woman's not already undergoing IVF to try to have a baby, asking her to produces eggs specifically for research could be called a bit cheeky.

But I have to say I think it's a non-issue because:

Professor Alison Murdoch, from the Centre for Life, Newcastle, which has been granted the license to use altruistic donations said: "I think it's probably very unlikely that we will get many women coming forward, because of the procedures that are involved and the potential risks that might be involved there.

Why are they bothering then? Unless women are paid, like, abajillion dollars (which they likely won't because the HFEA limitspayments to 250 pounds), they will not go through this process. Itrequires three, sometimes more, self-injections every day for about twoweeks. Sounds fun, right? There's also the possibility ofovarian hyperstimulation,
which could really mess you up. Not to mention the constant vaginalultrasounds to make sure the egg factory is running well, and then theharvest, which requires minor surgery and a day off work.

One doctor says there's a shortage of eggs and embryos for research,
which baffles me when there are more and more women undergoing IVF.
According to the latest numbers, there were more than 38,000 IVF cycles in the U.K. from April 2003 to March 2004.

Anger over egg donation license [BBC News]