In Vitro Fertility Goddess

Egg Donor Numbers Rise in Tough Economic Times

Sunday 2 August, 2008

As the economic downturn starts to bite, an increasing number of American women are supplementing their income by donating their eggs.

One woman quoted by ABC news openly admits that her motivation for donating her eggs isn't altruistic but purely financial.

"Michelle", who is a mother, student and egg donor has done it twice and both times she's given her eggs for money. In some cases, donors can earn up to $7000 to endure such a long and painful process.  

And it appears the number of egg donors is soaring. The Reproductive Science Center in San Ramon, CA, get about 120 per month from women people asking to be a possible egg donors. Last month, that number jumped to over 155.

The Center says the increase is due to the growing number of college-aged students who are seeking to boost their incomes.

"We're going use it to put aside and pay for books and everything as we go along because we're both in school, my fiancé and I both," Michelle told ABC news.