By Tiffany Ayuda

Julia Derek shares an interesting and shocking personal narrative as an egg donor. As a struggling international journalism student in Washington D.C., Derek is desperate to ease her financial problems in order to continue studying in the United States. She applied to countless jobs, unfortunately, she was repeatedly turned down, quickly learning that in America it was not simply the education and certification that guaranteed a position, but the knowledge that only experience in the field can offer. However, Derek was not about to just give up her dream to continuing living in America. She appreciates and embraces her new-found happiness in America and cherishes the freedom, diversity, eclecticism, and all the ever-changing, interesting quirks of being an American. The price of being an American is a heavy burden but not one worth letting go. One day, Derek came across an add under the classifieds in the Washington Post. The add read “Egg Donor Wanted. Infertile couple searching for 5’8″ minimum, athletic, green eyes, brunette egg donor between 18 and 30 years old. Preferably from Northern or Eastern Europe. Very discreet. Compensation: $3,500.” Derek was shocked to read such a blatant add in the newspaper. At a second glance, Derek considers the add; one cell for $3,500 sounded like a good deal. If men could donate sperm, why couldn’t women donate eggs? She realizes that the compensation is a solution to her financial dilemma. Furthermore, she perfectly matches the criteria for being the donor. She contemplates what being an egg donor would entail and the emotional consequences of donating a cell that would technically and genetically be her child.

These questions brought about serious ethical and moral issues. Is motherhood the act of giving the miracle of life or raising the child? Is the bond of a mother and her child stronger at birth or during childhood? What are the legitimate circumstances to be considered a mother? Derek considered donating her egg as technically and genetically being the mother of the child but not in the real sense that she would be the mother that shares a unique, maternal, and protective bond with her baby. Without anymore hesitations, Derek anxiously calls the Jamesons, the couple who placed the ad. She meets with the couple and develops a small friendship with them. Unfortunately, Derek failed at her first attempt to become an egg donor. The Jamesons turned her down because her features were so dissimilar from Mrs. Jameson’s. However, Derek did not stop her egg donor quest. Her fascination with donating her eggs became an obsession. With the help of her classmate, Derek was able to find an egg donating agency. She speaks with an egg donor coordinator from the Maryland Fertility Group. Derek learns that egg donating agencies are very selective with the women they choose. She was asked to fill out a 40 page questionnaire and went through peculiar interviews. In fact, only 20 percent of women who apply to become an egg donor are chosen. These women must pass numerous medical tests, evaluations, personal interviews, and be confirmed by psychologists for good mental health. The women who are chosen must be in perfect health. In addition, Derek hires a lawyer to take care of the legal issues. However, the most determining factor is the intention of the donor. Egg donating agencies choose women with good, purposeful intentions to help infertile couples and not strictly the use to fulfill monetary needs.

After another failed attempt, Derek decides to move to California. When she meets Ruth McCall, an egg broker, Derek finally fulfills her goal to become an egg donor. After her first donation, McCall persuades Derek to continue donating. Life was good as the money kept rolling. However, after her 10th donation, things started to turn out for the worst as Derek becomes depressed and suicidal and begins to question the worth of donating eggs for security. Derek’s personal story draws attention to the limits and boundaries of science and medicine. Where do we draw the lines for science as we do for life and death? Can life be given as randomly as it is taken? The only sure thing is that life is very precious according to Derek.