Turkish authorities have launched judicial proceedings against 53 people, including 41 alleged egg donors, over what is being described as an international human reproductive cell trafficking network, according to statements made by Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek on Monday.
Gürlek said those taken into custody included the organization’s alleged leader, five managers, 41 egg donors, two obstetrician-gynecologists, and four travel organizers. One suspect is already in prison, while authorities are seeking to apprehend 16 others, including seven believed to be abroad.
He claimed the investigation was launched after a tip submitted through Turkey’s Presidential Communication Center and suggested the network extended to Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus, Albania and Georgia.
The investigation found that 41 women sold their eggs 811 times, according to Gürlek.
“We are steadfastly continuing our fight against criminal organizations that direct women into illegal reproductive cell trafficking, disregarding human dignity and bodily integrity,” he wrote on X. “... No financial gain is above human dignity and bodily integrity! Under the leadership of our President, His Excellency [Recep Tayyip Erdogan], we will resolutely continue our efforts to uncover all connections of criminal organizations, identify those responsible, and ensure they are held accountable before justice.”
Egg, sperm, embryo donations for IVF prohibited in Turkey
Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) is legal in Turkey, treatment is restricted to married heterosexual couples using their own reproductive cells. Egg, sperm, and embryo donation are prohibited, as is surrogacy, meaning that unmarried and same-sex couples cannot access IVF under the country’s eligibility rules.
Turkey has prohibited third-party reproductive donation since 1987, but tightened its regulations in March 2010 to restrict so-called “reproductive tourism.”