Donating your eggs?

I can appreciate the gesture, but let's not forget that if you are in the United States, Czech Republic, or Israel, you'll make between $3000 and $10,000.
-wtk

That's true. However, it's an incredibly lengthy process (usually a few months) and a seriously invasive procedure. I'll be compromising my body for the donation. I, personally, believe that is worth some compensation. When all is said and done, it doesn't come out to much of a money maker at all.

Is it so hard to believe that a person might not have financial motivation?

Personally, and I'm not trying to poo-poo on the money, but a few thousand dollars isn't much in the long-run. Donation ought to be about something bigger than that. This might sound a little bit too Eugenic for some, but I think that a healthy, reasonably intelligent person wanting to contribute her genes to the pool makes a lot of sense. My decision not to have kids of my own just means I am going about it a different way.

I think the sentiment is nice but just because a couple can afford donor eggs and fertility treatments doesnt make them automatically good people and worthy of being parents. Also... there are so many kids in the world already born that need good parents. Im really not a negative nancy.... just my thoughts on this I thought Id throw out there.

I agree that money doesn't make someone a good parent and that adoption is a much better alternative. However, in the US, adoption is so difficult, costly and drawn out that it's just not reasonable for some families. Plus, there are other psychological factors associated with adoption that not all people are equipped to navigate. Additionally, I'll argue that someone willing to go through the intricacies of choosing an egg donor and that process are potentially more committed than the average parent, leading me to believe that their level of devotion has a good chance of continuing throughout the child's life. Also, I don't think it's wrong to want to help populate the world with children for affluent couples. Affluence is usually a sign that the person is motivated, educated and cultured. I'm not saying it's a requirement. Just an indicator.

Ultimately, I will have the opportunity to decide who receives my eggs. I would not donate to someone who does not appear to have a clear vision for and dedication to the family they are building.

Anyway. Just wanted to respond to both of those comments. Thanks to everyone for the well-wishes. I may or may not be selected, but if, at some point, that does become the case, I'll be grateful for the opportunity to make a family's dreams come true.

I, personally believe that it defeats the point of a donation if compensation is expected. Without diving too deeply into the etymology of the word, it came to English from Latin [through French] and means, "giving a gift freely." So there's that.

I know what the word donation means. I'm a linguistics major and writer by trade (if my verbose replies haven't made that painfully clear). That said, I think most English-speaking adults know that word's meaning. XD That's why I mentioned that the donor's financial gain is negligible. The recipient isn't paying to purchase the eggs. They're paying for the countless trips to medical facilities, the time invested, any lost wages due to time spent at appointments or while the donor is out of work for recovery, any costs associated with travel, etc. "Donating" (to be fair, not the most appropriate word) is expensive for all parties involved. Some compensation to recoup costs is, in my opinion, warranted. Otherwise, I am paying someone else to make babies.

According to the 2005 U.S. census, the average American over 25 makes just over $33,000. If I had the functioning parts to increase my [average] salary by nearly thirty-three percent, I would jump over the opportunity.

I will address this piece at the end of my comments.

I'm sure it is hell for a family that wants children but is unable to conceive. I really do empathize with those people. But to echo Julie's points, I believe that adoption would be the best course for these families. Pointing out the purported over-population of the world as it stands would be more of a "eugenics" argument than your conceit, but I can understand your point.

I have mentioned twice now that I agree adoption is a better course of action in many cases. If I were to build a family, I, personally, would opt to adopt. Unfortunately, there are many instances where adoption is not a viable option. For example, my godparents are both women and when they wanted a family, many agencies turned them down for no reason other than their sexuality. They are both intelligent, accomplished professionals with a gorgeous home in a safe neighborhood in northern California. They have a reliable network of responsible friends and family and are rounded, amazing individuals. But when no one would take their adoption efforts seriously, they opted for the sperm bank route. I can only imagine scenarios like this for gay men. Or any other number of infinite possible reasons why egg donation would be a more appropriate route for intended parents.

Additionally, in the spirit of your prior pedantry, the word "conceit" implies excessive pride. It's far from excessive to recognize one's own level of relative health and intelligence. It's realistic to have a healthy self-image and to recognize your strengths and shortcomings. I recognize mine and find that my incidental strengths (physical and intellectual resilience in a society that holds both in high regard) bode well for any future population. If the metrics were in favor of attributes I lack, I would resign my desire to donate. Arguably, I wouldn't ever have developed an interest in donation at all.

I definitely do believe that you should pursue the egg donation if the opportunity becomes available to you; however, I think that the more noble gesture if it is donated towards research. It's just common sense. Sure, someone could become parents, or a brother, or grandparent, or whatever. But the footprint of those affected by researching stem cells or embryonic structure is phenomenal.

My goal isn't nobility. My goal is more along the lines of humanity - contributing to a family. There's a warmth involved. Additionally, I'm not familiar with any donation process in which I would be able to participate in something like this. This is the first time I've heard of such an option.

I understand that, as a male, my point of view is incomplete to the conversation in question. Also, keep in mind that long-dormant effects of egg donations have developed. Some take ten to twenty years to come forward as hormonal imbalances, etc. Just all things to keep in mind.
-wtk

I have considered the potential long-term effects. For me, it is worth it.

Going back to your comment about increasing your salary: it sounds like you have some bitterness or a personal vendetta against this process and I'm not really sure why. You're free to disagree with it and I appreciate all of your comments. I just think that maybe you're not open to the reasons why egg donation might make sense for any number of donors or recipients. You also seem to be hung up on the idea that any donor is using donation as a "get rich quick" scheme. That's just not realistic by any stretch of the imagination.

Again, thank you for your comments. I have enjoyed the exchange. If you have more to say or would like to respond, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.