What’s the general MN verdict on donor eggs?

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The general critical re-examination of surrogacy is quite evident, and I have my own views on that, which I’ll keep quiet for the purposes of this thread.

Now I find myself chewing over other fertility treatment. I’ve had fertility treatment myself and so have family members. So I have a sense of how private clinics put you on a conveyor belt and normalise things.

What is the general view on donor eggs & embryos (implanted into the birth mother and gestated by her)?

Im trying really hard not to bias the result so have tossed a coin to assign YABU/YANBU to viewpoints. Don’t read into that.

YANBU = Donor gametes are ethically fine.
YABU = Donor gametes are problematic.

You can't adopt a cell.

Hmm, this is exactly the kind of double speak I was talking about upthread.

Its 'only a cell' when we're minimising what the donor gives up. If it actually was 'only a cell', why is it so valuable to those who want it?

The truth is, it's a cell with the potential to be a person and as such would contribute half of that persons DNA. So everyone involved in this process needs to be fully aware of the implications of that and their rights and feelings protected in the event that it does result in a person (which is of course the aim of the process).

There are similarities with adoption when it comes to transparency about the child's genetic legacy, yes.

Egg donation in the UK is not paid bar expenses. Anyone donating here outside of egg-sharing programs is doing so with no financial recompense and altruistically. Inviting an ill-informed mob to chip in with comments on the “ethics” of altruistic donation for a bit of light entertainment is grim af. It’s like posting “who thinks immigration is ok” and then sitting back to enjoy the self-righteous responses. If you genuinely want to know more about it go to the DCN website, or perhaps ask for the opinions of couples who have taken this route, or donor conceived adults.

Agreed. Apart from a few people saying IVF shouldn't be funded at all by the NHS (it does 1-3 tries depending on your postcode) this is the first time I've ever seen people morally opposed to altruistic egg donation full stop.

I guess you find all kinds of opinions on Mumsnet when the bait is wiggled.

Anyone donating here outside of egg-sharing programs is doing so with no financial recompense and altruistically.

aren't some people doing it for reduced IVF? That's financial recompense. And even if your point was correct, it doesn't mean it's morally or ethically unproblematic.

Inviting an ill-informed mob to chip in with comments on the “ethics” of altruistic donation for a bit of light entertainment is grim af

These are important ethical issues to debate, you don't get to shut this conversation down because you don't like it.

“Reduced ivf” is an egg sharing program. I’m not shutting anything down, but your post has somewhat proved my point.

“Reduced ivf” is an egg sharing program

Yes, I misread, apologies. However those in egg sharing programmes/being paid for their eggs will make up a significant proportion of those donating, so we can't exactly airbrush them out of the conversation and get on with our day. What percentage of U.K. donations are entirely altruistic btw? And even there we need to understand the role of emotional pressure.

I’m not shutting anything down, but your post has somewhat proved my point.

That you don't want it discussed 😂 quite.

There are very important issues here for the children conceived of donor eggs and the donors themselves. It's crucial to debate the implications even if that makes you uncomfortable.

This is why I think egg “donors” should be unpaid. You’re not donating something if you’re being paid. It makes me so uncomfortable that older women who can’t conceive due to their old eggs take advantage of very young women who are desperate for money.

It also makes me uncomfortable that IVF is discounted if you donate your eggs. What if you don’t conceive but another woman does because she’s used your eggs? Again, taking advantage of desperate women.

I’m a young woman (mid 20s) waiting to see a fertility specialist/gynaecologist. I think my issue is due to random ovulation and irregular periods. I will draw the line at using donor eggs. I want my dc to be biologically mine.

@House12
Inviting an ill-informed mob to chip in with comments on the “ethics” of altruistic donation for a bit of light entertainment is grim af. It’s like posting “who thinks immigration is ok” and then sitting back to enjoy the self-righteous responses.
Huh? “ill-informed mob”?! Who says who’s ill-informed? Seems to me that you define “ill-informed” as anyone who doesn’t agree with you, despite paying lip service to listening to donor conceived adults.

Some of those on this thread who’ve had children via assisted reproduction seem to think that they deserve a medal. Or handling with kid gloves. Or both. It’s strange.

Gamete donation is in the Guardian today. Sperm donor with genetic condition

I have no thoughts on it, as I have never been in the situation of desperately wanting a child.
But, I would never have donated my eggs to anyone. The thought of someone giving birth and bringing up 'my' child is really not good .