Big Take Asia The Human Egg Trade: Episode 2 - The Theft
8 snips
Apr 30, 2025 Vernon Silver, an investigative reporter at Bloomberg, dives into the murky waters of the human egg trade, having traveled to Greece to uncover shocking truths. He discusses a scandal where a fertility clinic allegedly stole eggs from 75 women, sparking ethical concerns and global repercussions. The podcast addresses Greece's dual role as a fertility tourism hub, highlighting both its appealing costs and significant ethical dilemmas. Silver elaborates on the vulnerabilities within the largely unregulated industry, emphasizing the critical importance of trust.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Maria's IVF Journey and Egg Theft
- Maria underwent IVF at the Mediterranean Fertility Institute and successfully had a child after three cycles.
- Three years later, she was shocked to learn her eggs had been stolen and used for another woman without her consent.
Greece as Fertility Tourism Hub
- Greece's fertility industry attracts international clients with lower prices and a favorable legal framework.
- The country's medical tourism appeal includes its beaches and access to egg donors and surrogates from nearby Eastern European countries.
Clinic Illegally Dividing Eggs
- Police found handwritten records indicating the clinic gave half of personally retrieved eggs to other women without consent.
- Patients like Maria did not consent to egg donations but had their eggs secretly divided for others' use.