Due to the recent spike in sperm and egg donation in pursuit of monetary gains among the youth in Ghana and parts of Africa, it becomes necessary to explore the ethical and psychological considerations that influence such a practice. In Kenya for example, it is reported that “younger women particularly girls in tertiary institutions are increasingly offering to donate their eggs to fertility clinics in a trend that has been linked to the pursuit for monetary gain.” A recent report by Ghana’s TV3 also affirms the rise of sperm and egg donation in the capital, Accra. However, whereas a section of Ghanaians strongly believe it is morally wrong for individuals to indulge in what appears to be a barbaric trade, others are of different views and concerns. Consequently, in this succinct work, I have sought out among other things to:
- Examine some ethical considerations relative to sperm and egg donation in pursuit of money by some youth in Ghana
- Analyze the Psychological basis that influences such a behavior
Ethical Considerations
I am convinced that many scratching their heads to find answers to the question of whether it is morally right or wrong for people to donate their sperm and eggs in exchange for money. Well, I admit that generally, it would not be easy to give an absolute answer to this ethical dilemma. However, using some Afrocentric and Eurocentric theories as major interlocutors, we could proceed to analyze this ethical dilemma and draw some reasonable conclusions. Ethics, as many have suggested, is concerned with human conduct and moral decision-making. Ethics, therefore, are a set of moral principles or rules of conduct for an individual or group. In order words, ethics measure morality. Therefore, if we want to determine the “right” and “wrongs” of a particular moral action, ethical philosophies should help us do this. Nonetheless, many people are of the view that morality is not like science, which deals with facts but a matter of values of which we can only have personal opinions. Proponents of this theory strongly argue that there are no moral facts. Others also suggest that in ethics, there is no scope for proof and demonstration as there is in science and mathematics. Hence, the ethical argument is a matter of rhetoric, which is to say attempting to persuade people to believe what you believe rather than proving to them that the beliefs you hold are true.
On the contrary, scholars like Plato and Socrates refute the subjectivity argument and posit that “good” and “bad” or “right” and “wrong” are part of the objective nature of things and that is how the world around us really is. The objectivity of ethics holds that there are universal moral principles valid for all people and all situations and times. According to Louis Pojman, there is a moral principle that is binding upon all human beings. Pojman suggests that “It is morally wrong for example to torture people just for the fun of it.”
Ethical Egoism
Maybe for the ethical egoist, there could be nothing wrong or bad when one offers his sperm or ovaries for sale. According to this school of thought, one’s self is, or should be the motivation and the goal of one’s own action. The ethical egoist would ask, how does this bring me pleasure?
Utilitarians
The doctrine of Utilitarianism holds that a moral action is right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority. For Utilitarian, focus or emphasis should be laid on the majority rather than individuals. Utilitarians would ask the question, “what would happen to society if younger women and men continue to donate their eggs and sperm in exchange for money?
Situational Ethics
Situational ethics takes into account only the particular context of an act when evaluating it ethically, rather than judging it only according to an absolute moral standard. For the situational ethicist, a person must choose to do the most loving thing in every ethical dilemma.
However, in order to properly situate this work within the proper African context, it would be appropriate to examine some of the Afrocentric theories. “Afrocentric views are a culturally grounded social work practice-based model that affirms, codifies, and integrates common cultural experiences and values and interpretations that cut across people of African descent.” “Afrocentricity is an intellectual paradigm that privileges the centricity of Africans within the context of their own historical experiences.” The Afrocentric relational theory, therefore, assumes a collective identity for people rather than valuing them individually. Some of the Afrocentric moral philosophies include unity, love, hospitality, hard work, the sanctity of life, responsibility and purpose, etc. Therefore, within the Ghanaian context, it may be appropriate to find out, what is the collective identity or posture towards the donation of human sperm and egg in exchange for money relative to African life and thought. Culturally, would African tradition embrace or frown upon such practice?
Significant views and themes which arise from the conversation so far indicate that different ethical philosophies would have different views on the donation of sperm and eggs from different perspectives. For the egoist, there could be nothing wrong with such a practice as long as it may induce a sense of happiness and triggers a sense of pleasure for the subscriber. On the other hand, the utilitarians and Afrocentric would frown upon such practice considering their collective interest. But then again, the question is, must society allow individuals to pursue their personal interests even if that interest would affect the collective interests of others? What would become of systems that leave individual members unchecked? Could society develop when individuals decide to pursue their own interests at the expense of others? Now a cursory look into possible psychological implications could be helpful.
Psychological Implication
As a counseling psychologist, I am aware that certain overt and covert behaviors are informed by underlying psychological disorders. Even though I admit that it is not easy to recognize somebody who is abnormal, however, as a science, the standards, and procedures of psychology make this easy. Abnormal psychologists have concluded that regardless of the seeming many definitions of abnormality, there are significant themes that run through all the definitions—deviance, distress, dysfunction, and danger, represented by the 4Ds. Thus, using the 4Ds as a baseline one could easily predict abnormal behavior.
Consequently, it is laudable to say that if a behavior deviates from standards principles, values, and norms within the context of a given society—if it also deviates from thoughts, emotions and behaviors considered normal in a specific place and time and by specific people— if it causes distress for the person or others and if in any way, it interferes with the social, cognitive, moral or spiritual life of the person and, finally, if it poses danger to victims or significant others, then, one can reasonably suggest that such behavior is considered abnormal. To this end, one may ask, to what extent does the donation of sperms and eggs in exchange for monetary gains deviates from behaviors considered normal within the context of Ghanaian society? To what extent does this practice interfere in one or more areas of life—physical, social, or spiritual? Again, to what extent would such a practice pose danger for individuals involved and the community at large if not curtailed?
Personality Disorders
Psychologists have often linked certain abnormal behaviors to particular personality disorders. A personality disorder is a type of mental disorder in which individuals have a rigid and unhealthy pattern of thinking, functioning, and behaving. It is believed that people with certain personality disorders may be predisposed to certain behaviors as compared to others. For example, it has been established that people with Anti-Social Personality Disorder (APD) have closely been linked to substance-related disorders and adult criminal behavior. APD is often known to be very impulsive and they take actions without thinking of the consequences. It has been established that people with this type of disorder are reckless and they have little regard for their own safety or for that of others, even their children. Moreover, people with APD develop a knack for gaining personal profit at the expense of other people. Because the pain or damage they cause rarely concerns them, it is commonly said that they lack a moral conscience. From the above theory, can we conclude that people with APD would most likely fall victim to the practice of donating their sperm or eggs in exchange for money? Would it be logical to conclude that there could be underlying psychological personality disorders that inform people’s decision to donate their sperm and eggs in exchange for money? Should the practice of sperms and egg donation be encouraged given that there could be underlying psychological conditions, which affects people’s thought processes?
In conclusion, it is obvious that the donation of sperms and eggs in exchange for monetary gifts are informed by several ethical and philosophical factors. Ethically, many of those who subscribe to the practice are undeniably egoistic and could largely be driven by their own pleasure and personal interest. Psychologically, factors such as personality disorders and underlying abnormal conditions may also not be overruled. In a recent interview by TV3, one of the alleged subscribers posits that he was introduced by friends who live lavish lifestyles on campus from the “sale” of sperms. According to this respondent, he earns GHC 2,500 ($150) weekly from the sale of his sperm—strongly affirming the stance of an ethical egoist.
Way Forward
In light of the aforementioned discussions, it is my recommendation that individuals, families, and social groups should be encouraged to undertake regular psychological screening. Some of the psychological test people may do include the Arno-Profile Test (APA) and Personality Disorder Test (PDT). This would help individuals and families detect underlying psychological conditions which in most cases do not receive the needed attention.
Second, discourse on Afrocentric moral philosophies should be actively engaged at the senior high school level and tertiary institutions. This would help enrich and also bridge what appears to be a moral deficit in modern societies. Third, young people who have subscribed to the sperm and egg donations business should be identified and given the needed psychological intervention to help them deal with the shame and phenomenological guilt they may be going through.
