More Women Trying to Cash In by Donating Eggs

In an unusual sign of the slowing economy, more women are applying to donate eggs or become surrogate mothers at fertility clinics, reports the Wall Street Journal. Surrogates can make about $25,000; while eggs usually sell for $3,000 to $8,000, one agency's ad offers $25,000 for "attractive" donors who are "100% Jewish" and have high SAT scores. Still, those in the field caution that it's far from easy money.

A rigorous health screening comes first. Tattoos, body piercings, and a few extra pounds are disqualifiers. "The other thing is the lifestyle changes required: no drinking, no smoking, NO SEX. That's the one that gets them the most," said one agency director. For those who do make it through the screening, be careful, says one donor. “You have to ask yourself, once this process is over and there's this baby out there, how are you going to feel? Think about it—a lot."

(More egg donors stories.)