Two women suspected of selling their eggs abroad were detained at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport on their return from northern Cyprus, bringing the number of people taken into custody in Türkiye’s investigation into an illegal reproductive-cell trade network to 44, broadcaster NTV reported on Oct. 21, citing the Demirören News Agency (DHA).
The case, run by the Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, was first made public on Oct. 19 by Justice Minister Akın Gürlek. He said simultaneous raids had been carried out in 14 provinces and that 41 women had made a combined 811 egg sales.
How the network allegedly worked
According to the prosecution’s findings reported by NTV, 53 people face legal proceedings: one alleged ringleader, five managers, 41 donor women, two obstetrics and gynaecology specialists and four people who organised travel. The donors were reportedly aged between 22 and 33 and travelled to clinics in northern Cyprus, Albania and Georgia, where egg donation is permitted under certain conditions, Euronews Türkçe said.
NTV reported that the women’s blood type, eye, skin and hair colour were recorded in a digital catalogue shared with prospective customers, who were told a child would be likely to share the chosen traits. Prices were reportedly set according to the features requested. The alleged leader, identified only as Hacer T., is said to have started as a donor herself after working in textiles until 2020, before recruiting other women for commission.
The investigation began after her husband filed a complaint through CİMER, the presidential online complaints system. Warrants were outstanding for eight more suspects, NTV said. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
What Turkish law allows
IVF treatment in Türkiye is restricted to married couples using their own eggs and sperm. Using donor eggs, sperm or embryos, surrogacy and the trade in reproductive cells are all against the regulations, according to Euronews Türkçe, which said the rules aim to protect genetic parentage and prevent the exploitation of women. Gürlek said no material gain was above human dignity and bodily integrity.
Health risks for donors
Egg collection under medical supervision is generally considered safe, but repeated cycles carry risks. Euronews noted that the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends no more than six donation cycles per woman and puts the risk of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome at about 1-2% per cycle. If the 811 figure refers to separate collections, it would average almost 20 per woman.
Türkiye has a large and regulated fertility and health tourism sector; our explainer on health tourism rules and HealthTürkiye sets out how licensed clinics must operate. Doctors have also warned about unlicensed treatments after counterfeit Botox poisoning cases in Antalya. Foreign residents can read about cover options in our guide to health insurance for foreign residents and our moving to Türkiye checklist.
Sources
- Üreme hücresi operasyonu: Donör iki kadına Türkiye dönüşü gözaltı (NTV)
- Bakan Gürlek açıkladı: Yasa dışı yumurta ticaretinde 36 gözaltı (Dünya)
- 8 soruda yasadışı yumurta satışı (Euronews Türkçe)
Photo: Apaleutos25 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
