Plea to pay human egg donors

Egg donors should be paid up to pounds 450 for helping childless couples, the head of a leading fertility clinic said yesterday.

Professor Ian Craft, director of the London Gynaecology and Fertility Centre, said the current pounds 15 fee plus travelling expenses allowed for donation was unrealistic in today's commercial world.

Egg donation for financial reward is forbidden in Britain. However, some critics claim this has led to a serious shortage of donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which licenses clinics, intends to phase out all payments for egg donation.