Ethical Issues and Controversies in Oocyte Donation and Recipiency: The Oocyte-Sharing Model in China

Objective: Oocyte donation combined with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) technology enables women who are unable to obtain or use their own oocytes due to advanced age or various causes of ovarian dysfunction, to achieve motherhood. Mechanism: Despite the maturity and widespread application of oocyte donation IVF-ET technology, numerous ethical and administrative controversies persist regarding the sources and modes of oocyte donation, eligibility criteria for donors and recipients, the number of oocytes donated or received, compensation for oocyte donation, and the disclosure of information between donors and recipients. Findings in Brief: In-depth discussion and thorough consideration of these issues are necessary to provide revisions of assisted reproductive management policies and to resolve ethical controversies, thereby promoting the standardized implementation of oocyte donation in IVF-ET. Conclusions: This review examines the major ethical controversies and management challenges in oocyte donation. These include issues such as informed consent, the commodification of oocytes, and potential risks to donors. Informed consent is a crucial element, requiring that donors fully understand the procedures, potential consequences, and broader implications before decision-making.