New Law Would Allow Compensation for Donating Eggs to Research

California is one of three states that ban compensation for women who donate their eggs to science. Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla says that dissuades women from making the donations, which negatively affects research on a variety of subjects.

“We have been unable to advance research in California on how to best freeze eggs which can help young victims of cancer who will be put into early menopause by chemotherapy,” Bonilla said.

Bonilla says research on fertility treatments has also stalled.

The bill drew opposition from prop-life groups, but it angered some pro-choice organizations as well. Diane Tober is with the Center for Genetics and Society. She says women who donate their eggs to science are more likely to be exploited.

“Young women providing eggs for infertile women are often students with qualities considered desirable by the infertile couple,” she said. “Women providing research eggs would likely be less educated, low-income and, most likely, disproportionately women of color.”

The governor has 12 days to either sign or veto the bill once it officially makes it to his desk. If he takes no action it will become law without his signature.