Black women egg donors in the United States are receiving significantly less compensation than White women, with some earning up to eight times less, according to data highlighted in a new book by Diane M. Tober.
Eggonomics explores the complex and often hidden realities of egg donation, sharing statistics and personal stories that reveal troubling power imbalances within the industry. Tober examines the global egg donation market, focusing on the U.S. and Spain.
“Donor profiles are used as marketing tools to attract intended parents, and women with desirable social and physical traits are selected more quickly,” says Tober, shedding light on common industry practices.
RELATED STORIES
Racial Pay Gap in the U.S. Egg Donation Industry
Tober’s research uncovers stark racial disparities in donor compensation. After studying over 900 donors, she found that the top compensation for White donors in the U.S. reached around $100,000, while Black donors received only $12,000. In one extreme case, a Chinese-American woman with a master’s degree from MIT, described as the “perfect donor,” had her eggs valued at $250,000.
READ ALSO: African Americans are incarcerated at more than 5x the rate of whites – report
Many donors are driven by financial need, with some citing the cost-of-living crisis or significant student debt as motivations to donate, according to Eggonomics.
The book also touches on the concept of eugenics—the practice of selective breeding in the pursuit of “ideal” genetics. One donor commented, “They wanted really, really specific things from me, and I felt like, ‘Oh my God, this is eugenics.'”
Health Risks of Egg Donation
Tober, with her extensive experience in the field, raises concerns about the health risks donors may face, especially those who donate multiple times. She shares cases of young, healthy donors developing health issues shortly after donating, despite having no other known risk factors.
Some physicians suspect a link between egg donation and later health problems, but, as is common with women’s reproductive health, this area remains under-researched.
Tober, an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama’s Department of Anthropology and Institute for Social Science Research, stresses the need for more comprehensive research to understand the risks fully.
“Until extensive longitudinal research into egg donor health and well-being is conducted, and care for donors is prioritized, there will be no justice for egg donors or the families they help create,” she warns.
Call for Industry Reform
Tober outlines several recommendations to reform the egg donation industry, focusing on donor protection and rights. She calls for standardized informed consent, ensuring donors understand how conditions like PCOS or endometriosis might be worsened by the hormones used in the process.
To prevent undue inducement, she suggests removing financial incentives from donor recruitment ads.
Tober emphasizes that donors should be treated as primary patients, with full access to their medical records and the right to refuse additional cycles without pressure. She stresses the need for equality in the industry, ensuring all donors and intended parents are treated with respect, regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
She also highlights the rights of donor-conceived individuals to access essential medical and identity information. To enhance safety and oversight, Tober proposes creating a donor registry to track donor cycles, enforce live birth limits, and monitor donor health over time.
READ ALSO: This is how Trump’s campaign wants to win over Black women
