Position Statement on the Provision and Procurement of Human Eggs for Stem Cell Research

Giuseppe Testa,Erica Haimes,Jonathan Kimmelman,Loane Skene,Patrick L. Taylor,Angela J. Ballantyne,Jan Helge Solbakk,Jeremy Sugarman,Christopher T. Scott,Insoo Hyun,Jason S. Robert,Lawrence S. Goldstein,Beth E. Roxland,Timothy Caulfield

doi:10.1016/j.stem.2013.02.002

Abstract

The nature of compensation for women who donate eggs (oocytes) for research remains a contentious issue internationally. This position paper lays out the arguments for, and discusses the arrangements in which, a modest payment might be ethically justifiable.

Highlights

In 2006, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) published Guidelines for the Conduct of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The task force grappled with the issue of financial consideration for eggs used in such research, recommending that local stem cell research and ethics review committees, where allowed by law, might determine the nature of compensation, ensuring that it does not constitute an undue inducement (Daley et al, 2007)
At the 2009 ISSCR Annual Meeting in Barcelona, the Ethics and Public Policy Committee of the ISSCR hosted a debate on the ethics of payments to egg providers

Summary

Cell Stem Cell

Position Statement on the Provision and Procurement of Human Eggs for Stem Cell Research. The nature of compensation for women who donate eggs (oocytes) for research remains a contentious issue internationally. This position paper lays out the arguments for, and discusses the arrangements in which, a modest payment might be ethically justifiable

Introduction

Concerns Relating to Women Who Are Not Undertaking IVF Treatment

Concerns about the Exploitation of Vulnerable Women

Concerns about the Exploitation of Potentially Vulnerable Women

Wider Concerns about Commodification and Altruism

Findings

Conclusions