Eiceldonatie voor stamcelonderzoek: schuilt er kwaad in de vergoeding?

The ethical debate surrounding embryonic stem cell research has long been monopolised by questions relating to the moral status of the embryo. Recently, other issues have attracted attention. One of these issues is whether it is ethically acceptable to ask women to donate oocytes for research purposes. There are a number of legitimate concerns, such as whether the risks and discomforts suffered by the donor are outweighed by the scientific benefits or whether these benefits might be obtained without relying on oocyte donors. In this context it is remarkable that the discussion about oocyte donation for stem cell research does not focus on these elements, but rather on the question if oocyte providers can or cannot be paid. Payment is said to unduly influence women’s decisions, to lead to their exploitation and to an immoral commodification of human tissue. We concede that none of these arguments survives scrutiny