'Mumbai-ites donating eggs, sperm for money'

Enterprising youths in Mumbai have found a new way to make extra pocket money -- selling sperm and eggs, a report said on Friday.

Infertility clinic advertisements offering generous payments for donations of eggs and sperm are attracting many men and women in their twenties, the Asian Age newspaper said.

One such advert, from the Centre for Human Reproduction, reads: "Donating eggs will not harm your future fertility or affect your health. We will be happy to pay generously for your generosity."

Such calls were drawing college students and young professionals to infertility clinics, which report four to five calls a day from donors, the paper said.

Donors could expect to be paid up to Rs 20,000 rupees.

"I have donated for economic reasons. I was in a need of money. I am staying as a paying guest and I have so many expenses that I thought this could be a fast way to make extra money," said one woman donor quoted by the paper.

Another female donor said, "I want to donate eggs because I want to help a couple who can't have a baby for a lifetime.

"We see ads in the newspapers every day, so I thought why not? I am also physically fit for donation and want to make a few extra bucks."

Infertility expert Anjali Malpani said young women were not encouraged to donate eggs as their fertility had not been proven and the procedure would mean they would lose their virginity.

"There is a need to conduct vaginal ultrasounds and sonography apart from the use of anaesthesia to break the hymen and this can cause problems after marriage.

"But young men who donate sperm, if found suitable, are paid around 20,000 rupees," she said.

"Lets not forget this is India," said Rishma Pai, a gynaecologist. "Virginity is still a big issue in India and girls can face problems in the future."

AFP