It's time for Australia to revisit the ban on commercial surrogacy and egg and sperm donation as increasing numbers of couples struggle with infertility, says IVF pioneer Professor Gab Kovacs.
Without change couples and donors will continue to be at risk from a black market, he warned.
"In Australia, there is a chronic shortage of gamete (egg or sperm) donors and women undertaking surrogacy, as opposed to an abundant supply of donors and commercial surrogates in countries where financial compensation is permitted.
"With about one in six Australian couples experiencing infertility, it is time to reconsider whether gamete donation should be allowed to be compensated and reduce the difficulty for couples who need donated oocytes or sperm," Professor Kovacs told the Fertility Society of Australia conference in Adelaide on Wednesday.
The Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Monash University made the comments in conjunction with the release of new research that suggests community attitudes have changed.
Results of a survey of 667 people, conducted by the Roy Morgan Research Centre, presented for the first time at the annual scientific meeting, found that about twice as many Australians support payment for egg and sperm donation and surrogates as those who oppose it.
According to the poll, on average participants believed $50 to $100 was suitable compensation for sperm donation, less than $500 for egg donation and more than $1000 for surrogates.
"The results suggest the community is supportive of a review of fee-for-service reproduction," said Prof Kovacs.
