What Is Happening To The Price of Eggs?

Covington SN, Gibbons WE; Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.

OBJECTIVE: To survey reproductive medical programs that are members of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) to ascertain their ovum donor compensation rates.

SETTING: Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology member programs. PATIENT(S): None applicable. INTERVENTION(S): One-page anonymous e-mail survey returned by FAX within 1 week. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinics were asked if they have a donor oocyte program, and, if yes, their standard compensation rate. In addition, clinics were asked if there are other variables that increase compensation rates, and, if yes, the maximum compensation. Data were analyzed according to U.S. geographic regions. RESULT(S): Over half SART clinics (53%, 207 out of 394) responded to the survey, with 191 (92%, 191 out of 207) having a donor oocyte program. The national average for standard donor compensation was $4,217, with a maximum payment average of $4,576. Geographic location affected compensation rates, with highest reported standard mean compensation in the East/Northeast ($5,018) and West regions ($4,890), and lowest in the Northwest ($2,900). CONCLUSION(S): The national average for compensating oocyte donors in reporting SART programs is approximately $4,200.

I am disappointed that the average payment is so low. Why? Because if the buyers were chiefly going for the highest IQ egg donors (e.g. Ivy League, CalTech, MIT, and Stanford undergrads) then the average payment would be in the tens of thousands. Prospective parents will get smarter kids with much greater earning potential and lower risks of crime and other problems if they pay the extra money it takes to use smarter donors. The money spent up front will pay itself back many times over in the long run.

Cheap full genome genetic testing will also cause a much greater spread in donor egg prices. Women who are now contenting themselves with $2000 or $3000 eggs will, in the future, know how much they are giving up by going with cheaper eggs. I expect a drop in demand for lower quality eggs and an even larger boost in demand for highest quality eggs.

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