08 Mar 2026
30m

The Human Egg Sellers

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Up First from NPR

India's underground market for human eggs is explored, revealing the exploitation of impoverished women driven by the demand for fertility treatments. Despite a 2021 law intended to protect women and regulate the fertility industry, an underground market has emerged, where marginalized women sell their eggs, often facing medical risks and financial exploitation. The investigation uncovers how agents and clinics circumvent the law, with women like "H" and Abhirami facing physical and economic hardships. The piece also highlights the lack of oversight, with a significant number of fertility clinics operating unregistered, and a case of a 13-year-old girl being exploited for her eggs, pointing to the ineffectiveness of current regulations and the vulnerability of women in this industry.

Outlines

Part 1: Investigation, Context

Part 2: Exploitation, Legal Framework

Part 3: Health Impacts, Conclusion

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