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Following revelations that some Korean-American women are selling their egg cells for ready cash, a lawmaker said Sunday the same was happening at home, with offers on websites flagrantly violating the Bioethics Safety Act. The law, which came into effect this year, prohibits selling and brokering sales of eggs and sperm for financial gain. Violators face up to two years in prison or a maximum fine of W30 million (US$30,000).
Grand National Party Rep. Bahk Jae-wan said he found ova for sale in seven online communities of two leading portal sites. A total of 181 messages included 153 postings offering eggs and 26 seeking to buy them, Bahk said. In one community, a notice also detailed rates for surrogate mothers, with natural pregnancy through sexual relations costing W40 million and through artificial insemination W25 million. There were also adverts from men trying to sell their sperm, he said.
Most women who tried to sell their ova said they decided to do so because of financial hardship. Bahk quoted a plea saying, ¡°I have two children, and it is extremely difficult to support the family.¡± Some advertisers said they were students or alumni of prestigious universities.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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