The price of an egg: oocyte donor compensation in the US fertility industry. Issue 4 (2nd October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Katherine M.
• Is Part Of: New genetics and society. Volume 36:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 354
• Page End: 374
• Publication Date: 2017-10-02
• Subjects: bio-economy -- oocyte donation -- medical markets; Genetic engineering -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 660.65
• DOI: 10.1080/14636778.2017.1389262
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-6778

Abstract

Abstract : Market-based health services have arisen out of major transformations in US healthcare in the last several decades. This study addresses pricing in the human egg donation market – an under-explored topic despite substantial scholarship on commodification and financial coercion of donors. Through analysis of primary data collected from 276 US fertility clinics and egg donation agencies, I assess what impacts average donor compensation and likelihood of compensation being more than $5000. Drawing on theories of organizational behavior, I test whether organizational characteristics, ecological factors, or regulatory pressure have the greatest impact on donor compensation amounts. I find that compensation is influenced primarily by ecological/market factors. Furthermore, industry self-regulation (measured by professional affiliation) did not deter clinics and agencies from having higher donor compensation levels, despite American Society for Reproduction Medicine recommendations. I conclude by addressing the broader implications of these findings for medical market dynamics and the problem of industry self-regulation.