Business
Egg Donors Cautioned Against Donating Solely for Financial Compensation
The UK fertility regulator has announced an increase in the compensation for egg donors, urging individuals not to donate solely for financial gain. Starting October 1, the compensation will rise from £750 to £986, marking the first increase in over a decade to account for inflation and rising costs.
While it is illegal to pay individuals for their eggs in the UK, the compensation is intended to cover expenses incurred during the donation process. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) emphasized that egg donation should be viewed as an altruistic act rather than a financial opportunity. Clare Ettinghausen, director of strategy and corporate affairs at the HFEA, stated, “It’s going up to just under £1,000, which the HFEA felt was a right balance between compensating people for their time but really recognizing that, in the UK, egg donation is an altruistic act.”
The UK faces a shortage of egg donors, particularly from black and ethnic minority backgrounds. Yasmin Sharman, an egg donor from London, was inspired to donate at the age of 18 due to the lack of donors of color. “I realized there was a lack of people of color donors, and that upset me… and so that made me want to do it again,” they explained.
There are concerns that raising compensation could lead individuals to donate purely for monetary reasons, potentially exploiting lower-income individuals. “If you raise it too much, there is a risk there that people will do it solely for the money, which puts lower-income people more at risk,” Sharman noted.
The HFEA also highlighted that egg donation is not without risks, as donors undergo the initial stages of IVF treatment, which can be uncomfortable. Additionally, donors are informed that children born from their eggs have the right to contact them once they turn 18.
It’s important to note that egg donor compensation is not paid in Scotland, differentiating it from the rest of the UK. The HFEA aims to maintain a balance between providing fair compensation and preserving the altruistic nature of egg donation.
With a potential TikTok ban looming in the United States, many of the app’s 170 million American users are flocking to the Chinese platform RedNote. Dubbed “TikTok refugees,” these users have propelled RedNote to the top spot on Apple’s US App Store as of Monday.
RedNote, known in China as Xiaohongshu or “Little Red Book,” boasts approximately 300 million monthly users and combines features similar to TikTok and Instagram. It is particularly popular among young urban women in China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking regions, offering a platform for exchanging lifestyle tips on topics ranging from fashion to relationships.
The app’s growing popularity comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to decide on a law requiring TikTok to sell its U.S. operations by January 19 or face a ban. TikTok has refused to sell, arguing that such a move would violate the free speech rights of its users.
RedNote has embraced its influx of U.S. users, with 63,000 posts tagged “TikTok refugee” providing guidance on navigating the platform and learning basic Chinese phrases. One U.S. user humorously wrote, “To our Chinese hosts, thanks for having us—sorry in advance for the chaos.”
Despite its warm reception, RedNote is not without controversy. Critics point to censorship concerns, particularly regarding criticisms of the Chinese government. Additionally, public officials in Taiwan are restricted from using RedNote due to perceived security risks associated with Chinese software.
As U.S. users join RedNote, some Chinese users have joked about being labeled “Chinese spies,” referencing U.S. officials’ concerns over TikTok’s alleged ties to Chinese government surveillance. However, RedNote has distanced itself from political associations, stating that its name does not reference Mao Zedong’s famous “Little Red Book.”
Bitcoin has soared to a new all-time high, briefly surpassing $106,000 (£83,890) on Monday during Asian trading hours. The cryptocurrency’s unprecedented rally marks a 50% surge since Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election on November 5, with market sentiment buoyed by the incoming administration’s pro-cryptocurrency stance.
The Trump administration has signaled a friendlier approach to digital currencies compared to its predecessor. Notably, President-elect Trump recently announced plans to explore creating a national Bitcoin reserve, akin to the U.S. strategic oil reserve, to support the cryptocurrency’s strategic adoption.
Peter McGuire of trading platform XM.com attributed the surge to growing “FOMO” (fear of missing out) among investors. “The Bitcoin rally since the election has been parabolic,” McGuire explained. “Many investors believe $120,000 is achievable by the end of the year, and projections for mid-2025 suggest prices could exceed $150,000.”
Adding to the market optimism, Trump has appointed David Sacks, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and former PayPal executive, as his AI and cryptocurrency czar. Sacks, known for his close ties to Trump advisor and billionaire Elon Musk, is expected to play a significant role in shaping the administration’s blockchain and cryptocurrency policies.
Chinese crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun, known for his headline-grabbing antics, recently made waves after consuming a $6.2 million banana in an art stunt. Not long after, Sun invested $30 million into World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency firm with ties to former President Donald Trump.
The investment proved transformative for the struggling company, pushing it past the threshold needed for Trump to begin profiting from the venture. Trump and his family are now positioned to collect around $20 million, with the potential for more.
Sun, currently facing fraud charges in the U.S. over his own crypto operations, did not elaborate on why he backed the untradable token initiative. However, the move has raised concerns among ethics experts, who view it as an example of how Trump’s vast business interests could create avenues for influence.
Richard Painter, former White House ethics lawyer under George W. Bush, noted the heightened risk:
“The conflicts have grown substantially with the scope of his business empire.”
Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, dismissed concerns, highlighting that Trump had distanced himself from his real estate empire during his presidency and donated his salary:
“Unlike most politicians, President Trump didn’t get into politics for profit – he’s fighting because he loves this country.”
Critics argue that Trump has not adequately addressed the potential for corruption as his business dealings expand ahead of a possible return to the White House.
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