Monday, July 31, 2006
UK to Allow Women to Sell Eggs
From LifeNews:
British groups are upset at a decision by a governmental agency that is supposed to be a stem cell research watchdog. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has ruled that a British stem cell research institute can pay women for their eggs for stem cell studies.
The decision prompts concerns for bioethicists who say that paying women for eggs for research opens up a list of problems including coercion and taking advantage of poor women.
HFEA ruled that the North East England Stem Cell Institute can ask women undergoing infertility treatments if they would like to be paid for any extra eggs produced in the process.
But Josephine Quintavalle, of the British Comment on Reproductive Ethics, called the decision "lunacy."
"Vulnerable women will be put under pressure. They are extremely susceptible to coercion," she explained.
Dr. David King, director of Human Genetics Alert, also opposed the HFEA decision saying it "shows its contempt for public opinion and its general bias in favor of anything the IVF industry asks for."
British groups are upset at a decision by a governmental agency that is supposed to be a stem cell research watchdog. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has ruled that a British stem cell research institute can pay women for their eggs for stem cell studies.
The decision prompts concerns for bioethicists who say that paying women for eggs for research opens up a list of problems including coercion and taking advantage of poor women.
HFEA ruled that the North East England Stem Cell Institute can ask women undergoing infertility treatments if they would like to be paid for any extra eggs produced in the process.
But Josephine Quintavalle, of the British Comment on Reproductive Ethics, called the decision "lunacy."
"Vulnerable women will be put under pressure. They are extremely susceptible to coercion," she explained.
Dr. David King, director of Human Genetics Alert, also opposed the HFEA decision saying it "shows its contempt for public opinion and its general bias in favor of anything the IVF industry asks for."
papijoe 8:49 AM
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