The human egg trade, which operates with minimal regulation across borders, thrives in open markets, gray markets, and black markets. And women are at the center of it all. The relatively unregulated industry is harvesting more and more eggs all over the world to use in IVF treatments. Our documentary, India’s Harrowing World of Human Egg Brokers, is based in Chennai, India, and reveals how local women are paid – and sometimes exploited – as part of the booming $35 billion fertility market.
The documentary centers on Sumathi, a fertility agent and former egg donor, highlighting the ethical, legal, and health dilemmas faced by women who are often illiterate and financially desperate. It also poses a broader question: What is the human cost of assisted reproduction?
Beyond exposing injustices, the video captures the humanity of the female donors involved. We hoped to connect viewers with the struggles of these women, hear their voices, and better understand their choices as a poignant reminder of the human element behind the statistics. One of our sources detailed domestic violence, while another recounted multiple suicide attempts.
Our goal was to offer a rare inside look and give a voice to the faceless women in the shadows fueling the multibillion-dollar global fertility business. Under pressure from a growing demand for eggs, India passed a law in 2021 to protect donors who put their health at risk during the donation process. But fertility doctors say the new rules are making it nearly impossible to source eggs legally, essentially driving egg donation underground. The video illustrates how loopholes in the system perpetuate unfair treatment, with agents and clinics profiting disproportionately.
The meticulously executed documentary was created by a diverse team of largely women themselves, serving as a powerful example of journalism that prioritizes female perspectives, especially those who are underrepresented in global media. Our production team worked tirelessly over nearly a year to earn the trust of our sources and encouraged them to speak on record. The reporters and producers brought personal insight to the project, drawing upon their own experiences with the trials and tribulations of conceiving a child.
This work serves as a realistic, albeit harsh, portrayal of women’s experiences and calls for greater protections and ethical standards within an industry that impacts millions of lives worldwide – and counting.
This documentary was produced by Bloomberg reporter, Kurumi Mori.
