Fertility Clinics See Rise of Egg Donations

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The economic downturn has folks looking at ways to make some extra cash by doing things they might not have considered before, including selling their DNA.

Fertility clinics across the country are seeing an increase in egg donations.

"The compensation they get for an egg donation is significant enough to spur a lot of people," said Dr. Rli Reshef, medical director for the INTEGRIS Bennett Fertility Institute.

"I used it to pay some bills and we actually donated a portion of that," donor Donna said.

The process of extracting an egg is complicated and time consuming, in some cases taking up to seven weeks. The donor must undergo a thorough mental and physical evaluation.

"we screen very thoroughly, very carefully so a lot of people that may apply may not qualify to become egg donors," Dr. Reshef said.

Donna said the time and attention it takes to donate can be draining, but in the end she said it's worth it and not just because of the money.

"It's a good feeling," Donna said. "I'm not thinking so much about that there is a child with my DNA out there as I am there's another child in the world that somebody loves and had gone through this process to get."

The halls at the INTEGRIS Henry G. Bennett, Jr. Fertility Institute are lined with success stories.

Read one couple's struggle with infertility and their success with the help of BFI and Dr. Reshef.

The egg recipient chooses the donor, which can take months to happen.