Students at China’s leading universities offered more than US$14,000 to sell eggs illegally
- Investigation by Chinese newspaper finds potential buyers are willing to pay more for desirable physical traits and intelligence
- Academic performance, height and looks among most valued characteristics, and donors with these traits were able to charge a premium
Women studying at some of China's top universities are selling their eggs for up to 100,000 yuan (US$14,600) each, according to a newspaper investigation.
Despite Chinese law forbidding the trading of human eggs, the demand from those couples who cannot have their own child remains high, Beijing Youth Daily reported.
Academic performance, height and looks were three most valued characteristics, and donors that possessed these traits were able to charge a premium.
In the case of “ordinary” donors, the price could be as little as 10,000 yuan – but some young women were still willing to go through with the deal so they could buy a new smartphone.
According to the investigation, the illicit transactions are usually arranged through an agent, although some couples prefer to meet the donor in person, and coffee shops are the preferred meeting place as they will attract little attention.
Infertility caused by physical problems were the main reason for people paying for the illegal service, according to one agent.