So you want to become a Florida egg donor? Whether you are doing this deed for altruistic reasons or for a fee, this article will provide some guidelines. Egg donation is defined by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM.org) as the process whereby a donor gives her eggs to a recipient in order to allow the recipient to have a baby. There are several areas that will dictate whether or not you are a viable candidate:
- – your medical history and physical status
- – the legal aspect
- – your psychological frame of mind
- – state statutes
There are no federal rules in the U.S. governing the egg donation process nor laws defining who can be an egg donor. Rather, each state may or may not statutorily impose laws governing egg donation. In Florida, for example, statute 742.13 only defines the term egg as: an unfertilized female reproductive cell. The statute does not define who can be a Florida egg donor. In addition, Florida Statute 742.14, defines compensation and what happens to donated eggs and says:
Donation of eggs, sperm, or preembryos.—The donor of any egg, sperm, or preembryo… shall relinquish all maternal or paternal rights and obligations with respect to the donation or the resulting children. Only reasonable compensation directly related to the donation of eggs… shall be permitted.
Florida Statute 742 does not set age, marital status, or other guidelines limiting who can donate. So, which entity does? ASRM sets guidelines for industry professionals (fertility doctors and clinics, surrogacy and egg donation agencies, mental health professionals, lawyers, and the courts) to follow. However, these guidelines are just that…guidelines. They are not laws with penalties for violation. However, my feeling is that these guidelines should be respected and followed. Typically, Florida egg donors are women between the ages of 21 and 34. They can be either anonymous or known to the recipients. Many clinics and egg donation agencies will not work with candidates who are younger than 21 years of age.
If you fit the profile, you will move on to the next step of medical testing. Fertility clinics will conduct comprehensive medical testing including testing for: HIV, Hepatitis B and C, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia. Genetic testing may also be conducted based on the egg donor’s history and background. Mental health evaluations are also required and egg donors should submit to psychometric testing.
Once a recipient selects a Florida egg donor, the donor is then medically stimulated to create multiple eggs that can be extracted in a single cycle. The eggs are aspirated from her ovaries. They are then evaluated by an embryologist. Then the in vitro fertilization process occurs.
Of course, none of these steps happen without a contract between the egg donor and the recipient. Most (if not all) fertility clinics will not move forward until legal agreements between the parties are in place. More questions? Call Leslie Schreiber, P.A. for a free consultation to discuss your options.