The UI egg donation warning

THE kind of escapades that some Nigerian youths are engaged in just to make money that they often fritter on frivolities is simply worrisome. Girls, in particular, are fast becoming an endangered species through their own acts of indiscretion: they fall victim of yahoo boys who use them for money rituals; they engage in prostitution and other criminal and morally reprehensible acts in their quest for easy and quick money. It is really disturbing that so long as such acts offer a promise of filthy lucre that may not even come in the end, they easily and carelessly permit caution and decency to take flight. And whenever any dangerous trend becomes the order of the day, the youths get themselves immersed in it without any iota of consideration of the inherent risks. The current and potentially perilous trend today is monetisation of donation of reproductive eggs by some unscrupulous girls.

Egg donation, which ordinarily should be an act of charity to bring succour to families struggling with infertility, has been converted into a permanent source of income or an alternative side hustle by some thoughtless and undisciplined girls. It apparently became so rampant that the authorities of the University of Ibadan had to cry out and issue a strong warning to the young ladies engaging in it for pecuniary reasons. The authorities expressed grave concern about the spate of egg donation and the despicable commercialisation of what ordinarily should be a charitable act. The university’s memo reads: “It has come to our attention that there is a growing trend within the university community involving the participation and/or recruitment of female students as egg donors for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) by individuals, agents or agencies. While egg donation has brought hope to many families struggling with infertility, it is important to note that it should not be considered a permanent source of income or an alternative side hustle. Egg donation involves the use of hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries. This process carries several short-term risks, including abdominal pain, breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), infection and bleeding, ovarian torsion, potential injury to the bladder, nearby blood vessels, and bowel and psychological distress.” It added that the long-term effects reported by some egg donors included loss of fertility.

And worse still, there are indications that some of the young ladies who engage in the reckless commercialisation of egg donation may have imperiled their future. The institution noted that current research remains inconclusive regarding who is medically safe to donate, how many times donation can safely occur, and the ideal interval between donations. It, therefore, urged students not to donate more than three times in a year, advising that they should choose a reputable clinic that adheres to established guidelines and prioritises donor safety. As we already observed, the donation of female eggs should be an act of charity that is not rewarded with any financial favours. To be sure, there is nothing wrong with giving food items, supplements and medicines that could aid donors’ quick recovery if this is imperative, but placing a monetary valuation on an egg and paying the price tag is clearly unethical and certainly immoral judging by what should constitute the moral values of a society like Nigeria. It is quite disheartening to see the kind of things that young people dabble into these days, all in their quest to make easy and quick money; things that are ordinarily an abomination in a clime where everyone acts in strict adherence to societal moral values. Or why should a young lady acquiesce to parting with any of her body organs, as it were, for any considerations other than humanitarian ones?

Unfortunately, these things are happening. The warning by UI is timely and it is most probable that the menace had reached epidemic proportions before the university reacted. Sadly, most parents are not likely to be aware that their daughters are donating their eggs for money; otherwise, many of them would frown on such a deplorable act. Children are highly treasured in Africa and no parent would want their daughter to cripple her reproductive capabilities. Sadly, these young ladies are selling their eggs and putting their parents’ investment in their education and future at risk. And what are they doing with the money? They buy expensive weave-on, phones and clothes that do not even cover their bodies. We commend UI for the warning.

Students should not mortgage their future. Yes, there is poverty in the land but trading one’s eggs is a dangerous thing to do, especially against the backdrop of its potential to jeopardise the future of donors by way of infertility. We urge the medical personnel involved in harvesting the eggs of girls and ladies for money to think of operating within the ethical boundaries of their profession, act as responsible adults, and bequeath an enduring moral compass to the donors. We also urge the donors to put on their thinking caps and act wisely and responsibly in the interest of their future. For it smacks of lack of foresight and understanding to engage in acts that are tantamount to being penny-wise and pound-foolish.

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