What is the illegal egg harvesting situation in India?

An illegal black market for human eggs exists in India, where women undergo multiple egg harvests for financial survival, with payments ranging from $280 to $800 per procedure.

How did India's 2021 fertility laws affect egg donation?

India's 2021 fertility laws, which limited egg donations to once per woman, inadvertently created a shortage and fueled a thriving illegal market for human eggs.

Are minors exploited in India's illegal egg market?

Yes, there are reports of minors, such as a 13-year-old girl, being lured into selling their eggs, indicating the exploitation of vulnerable individuals in this unregulated trade.

Home / Health / India's Black Market: Women Sell Eggs for Survival

India's Black Market: Women Sell Eggs for Survival

29 Jan

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Summary

Women sell eggs, some harvesting them over 30 times.
Illegal market thrives due to constrained supply from new laws.
A 13-year-old girl was lured into selling her eggs.
Monetary incentives are as low as $280 to $800 per harvest.

India's Black Market: Women Sell Eggs for Survival

An estimated dozens of women in India are involved in an illegal black market for human eggs, with some estimating they have harvested their eggs over 30 times. These women, seeking financial survival, undergo hormone injections and egg retrieval procedures for payments ranging from $280 to $800. This clandestine trade has emerged following India's 2021 fertility laws, which restricted donations to once per woman, inadvertently creating a supply shortage amidst rising demand.