'Egg giving' review launched

There is a shortage of donor eggs

The body that regulates fertility clinics in the UK says that it is to launch a review into the practice of "egg sharing".

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is asking clinics to send in details of all their egg donation schemes - and could announce changes to its guidelines later in the year.

Some clinics aim to overcome the shortage of donated eggs by offering free or substantially cheaper treatment to women who agree to offer some of their eggs to another woman.

The practice is controversial because it usually means that the donor has to undergo more cycles of IVF than usual in order to provide enough eggs for both the recipient and herself.

Some have suggested that egg sharing exploits less-wealthy childless couples, who would not contemplate donating eggs if they could afford treatment.

Whilst we do not want to limit the treatment choices available to women, it is important that with any form of egg donation the women involved are given all the information needed to make informed decisions Suzi Leather, HFEA

Clinics offering the service have been set up in less affluent areas.

There have also been complaints from some patients that the full risks of extra cycles of hormone treatment have not been fully explained to them - a charge strenuously denied by clinics.

HFEA chairman Suzi Leather said: "We are receiving a growing number of enquiries from patients and licensed clinics regarding egg giving arrangements.

"Whilst we do not want to limit the treatment choices available to women it is important that with any form of egg donation the women involved are given all the information needed to make informed decisions about their treatment and this includes details of any risks involved."

Demand rising

The demand for donor eggs is steadily increasing as older women opt for IVF in a bid to start families later in life.

Often these women have a reduced egg supply themselves as a result of their age, and need donor eggs to stand any chance of a pregnancy.

The purpose of the review will be to establish under which conditions egg giving is suitable practice and provide guidance to clinics to "ensure patients' interests are protected".

A leading exponent of egg donation, Professor Ian Craft, from the London Fertility Centre, said he had not been informed that the review was taking place, but he would be happy to cooperate.

He said: "We have absolutely nothing to hide.

"Egg donation has been accepted since 1967."

Professor Craft runs a scheme under which women, instead of sharing whatever eggs are produced for each cycle of IVF, agree to donate the products of their first cycle to the woman, but retain those of the second cycle entirely for themselves.