Between scientific advances and bioethics, how can legalizing the sale of eggs reconcile human rights and dignity?

As advances in science and medicine increase the demand for eggs, it is necessary to discuss whether legalizing the sale of eggs is a way to protect both women’s autonomy and the dignity of life.

 

As science and medicine have advanced, we humans have come to expect a future with advances that were once unimaginable. It no longer seems impossible to escape the horrors of disease and death that we once feared so much. The hope that incurable diseases can be conquered, life spans extended, and the quality of human life improved is becoming increasingly realistic. Making this future possible are remarkable advances in life sciences and medicine. One of the most exciting areas of research is human stem cell research. Stem cells are considered a revolutionary tool that has the potential to regenerate damaged body tissues and even replace organ transplants. As a result, stem cell research has become one of the most important aspects of modern medicine and is seen as the key to solving many of the medical problems facing humanity.
At the center of stem cell research are human reproductive cells, namely sperm and eggs. Not only do these cells represent the beginning of a new life, but they are also essential materials for a wide range of biotechnological research. Eggs, in particular, are a key component of stem cell culture and play an essential role in the creation of a human life. However, the process of obtaining eggs is by no means straightforward. Sperm is relatively easy to obtain, and there are no particular risks involved in the process. Eggs, on the other hand, are ovulated in a woman’s body about once a month, and the process of artificially controlling and collecting them can have serious side effects on a woman’s body. Egg harvesting requires hormone injections or surgery, which can jeopardize a woman’s health. For this reason, egg buying and selling is prohibited in South Korea, and it is considered illegal to do so.
But is outlawing egg buying and selling the best option? I don’t think so. I believe that legalizing the egg trade could actually solve more problems and contribute to protecting the rights and health of egg donors.
The first reason to legalize the egg trade is very real. Due to advances in science and medicine, the demand for eggs is increasing. However, due to current legal restrictions, the supply of eggs is very limited, and this shortage is a major obstacle to stem cell research and other biotechnology research. Egg donation should be a voluntary choice, but in reality, many women are unwilling to donate their eggs without financial compensation. Given the risks that the egg collection process poses to women’s health, it is not an easy decision to donate eggs unconditionally. Therefore, we believe it is fairer to legalize the sale of eggs so that donors can be properly compensated. By legalizing the trade and ensuring that it is well regulated, governments will be able to reduce shady transactions and their negative consequences.
The second reason is about the dignity of life. The argument that because eggs have the potential to become human life, buying and selling them is a violation of human dignity is probably one of the main reasons for banning the sale of eggs. However, I believe that the sale of eggs is a fundamentally different issue than the instrumentalization of the human body, such as human trafficking or slavery. An egg is not yet fertilized, it is merely a potential for life that cannot be considered life. The discussion of the beginning of life is open to different interpretations from a philosophical and religious point of view, but from a scientific point of view, an egg is not a life in itself. For this reason, the argument that the sale and purchase of eggs harms the dignity of life is an overly strict interpretation.
Furthermore, legalizing the sale of eggs is also about respecting women’s autonomy. Women have the right to make decisions about their bodies, and as long as those decisions are made freely and by choice, we believe that the sale of eggs should be recognized as part of that right. It’s not just about money, it’s about protecting women’s right to self-determination. It is important to create an environment where women can make informed, rational, and voluntary choices about their bodies.
So far, we’ve outlined two reasons to legalize the sale of eggs. They emphasize practical necessity and an understanding of the dignity of life, and legal protections that respect women’s autonomy. Laws need to evolve with societal needs and changes, and current regulations may not necessarily be the best option. In the future, we may be able to find better ways to address controversies like the legalization of egg trafficking. These changes will go beyond just the issue of egg trafficking, and will be an important test of how our society views and protects life and human rights.