The Knesset committee has 15 members. Some 16,000 couples undergo fertility treatments in Israel at nearly two dozen IVF centers. There are about 2,000 women waiting for donated ova. All those present noted that in recent years, most ova donations have been carried out in private clinics, as free egg donation has not been encouraged in the public hospitals, while in the private clinics, payment often takes the form of nearly free fertility treatment for ova donors. Regulations allowing donations only from fertility patients were put into effect 14 years ago, after a would-be egg donor died from internal hemorrhage after her abdomen was pierced to collect the eggs.
Hormones can also have a harmful effect, especially if given in too-large amounts.
The committee, headed by Dr. Mordechai Halperin, a gynecologist and medical ethics expert, hopes to present Benizri with their recommendations in the fall. For women who want to be in the know Click here to return to page. The Jerusalem Post - All rights reserved, Click here for feedback and comments. Palm Post Edition sponsored by Davka Corporation .