Editor's Summary
10 August 2006
Stem cell supply
If it is ethically and legally permissible for women to offer their oocytes for stem-cell research, and if it is acceptable to compensate healthy volunteers for their time and inconvenience when undergoing comparable procedures for research, why do guidelines on stem-cell provision in North America and Europe limit remuneration to women's direct expenses? Insoo Hyun, currently working on the ISSCR International Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Guidelines Task Force, argues that women should be fully compensated if they provide oocytes for basic research.
Commentary: Fair payment or undue inducement?
Women who donate their eggs for stem-cell research should be compensated in the same way as other healthy research volunteers, argues Insoo Hyun.
doi:10.1038/442629a