White women in the U.S. receive up to eight times more compensation for their eggs than Black women, according to data highlighted in a new book by Diane M. Tober.
Eggonomics uncovers the lesser-known, complex realities of egg donation, sharing statistics and personal stories that expose troubling power imbalances within the industry. Tober examines the global egg donation market, with a particular focus on the U.S. and Spain.
“Donor profiles are the marketing tools used to attract intended parents, and those women who possess desired social and physical traits will sell faster to a wide range of intended parents than others,” says Tober, shedding light on common industry practices.
Shocking racial pay gap in the US egg donation industry
Tober’s research reveals startling racial disparities in compensation for egg donors. In her study of over 900 donors, the top rate for White donors in the U.S. reached approximately $100,000, compared to just $12,000 for Black donors.
In one extreme case, eggs from a ‘perfect donor’—a Chinese American woman with a master’s degree from MIT—were valued by prospective parents at $250,000.
Eggonomics also highlights the precarious financial situations of many donors, who are often driven to donate due to the ‘cost of living’ crisis or significant student debt.
The book frequently touches on the concept of eugenics—the practice of controlled selective breeding of human populations to improve genetic compositions—in the context of the pursuit of ‘ideal’ genetics, with one donor remarking, “…from me they wanted really, really specific things, and I was feeling like, ‘Oh my god. This is eugenics.'”
Health risks associated with egg donation
Tober raises concerns about the potential health risks egg donors may face, particularly those who donate multiple times. She shares accounts of young, healthy donors who developed health problems shortly after donating, with a significant number lacking other known risk factors.
Some physicians even suspect a causal link between egg donation and subsequent illness. As is the case with most medical procedures and illnesses associated with women and reproductive health, the area of egg donation is woefully under-researched.
Tober emphasizes the need for more research to fully understand the risks associated with egg donation.
“Until extensive longitudinal research into egg donor health and wellbeing is conducted, and care for donors is prioritized, there will be no justice for egg donors or the families they help create,” Tober says .
Tober outlines key recommendations to reform the egg donation industry, focusing on the protection and rights of donors. She calls for standardized informed consent, ensuring that donors are fully aware of how conditions like PCOS or endometriosis might be aggravated by the hormones used in the process.
To prevent undue inducement, Tober suggests removing financial incentives from donor recruitment ads.
She emphasizes that donors should be treated as primary patients , with access to their medical records and the right to refuse additional cycles without pressure. Tober stresses the need for equality within the industry, ensuring all donors and intended parents are treated with respect, regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Additionally, Tober highlights the rights of donor-conceived individuals to access essential medical and identity information. To enhance safety and oversight, she proposes creating a donor registry that tracks donor cycles, enforces live birth limits, and monitors donor health over the long term.
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