Shenzhen authorities have recently detected a case of underground ovum trade in a nursing home in Longhua District. An ovum taken from a woman's body is worth over 20,000 yuan on the market, bringing enormous profits to the people operating in this illegal trade.

The agent, named Anshengda, has high requirements that providers must meet, such as being in the possession of a bachelor degree, being under 27 years old, having a good appearance, standing at at least 1.65 meters tall and being in good health. In other words, the better condition the provider is in, the higher the price she will be paid.

According to Chinese law, the transaction of an ovum is explicitly prohibited due to the high risks it entails and the negative aftermath that might ensue. On October 16, the Shenzhen Sanitary Surveillance Agency along with six other departments busted the illegal agents.

We have made big money from the ovum business in the past, but the increasing number of markets influences our profits." said Guo, boss of the illegal medium. Disguised as a provider, the journalist got in touch with him and managed to win his trust. Driving a Volkswagen that costs over 200,000 yuan, he told the journalist with much self-esteem that he had mastered the operational technique of taking out the ova. Along with other investors, he then spent ten million yuan on purchasing a series of equipment and constructed several operating rooms- exact replicas of those found in hospitals. Additionally, Guo and his partners offer their customers a surrogate service, for those unable or unwilling to deliver a baby, at the price of 200,000 yuan. If the client pays another 20,000 yuan, the agent will screen the sperms, ensuring the baby is a boy.

Ovum providers are mainly white collars living in lower-class neighborhoods, bearing a good appearance and in possession of a bachelor degree.

The illegal market criteria are extremely high, requiring providers to be born after 1985, have a good appearance, be taller than 1.65m and of course be in good health. Providers who meet the requirements can earn at least 20,000 yuan. The better overall state the provider is in, the higher her asking price can be. If the girl meets the demands of being born in the 1990s, with a bachelor degree and charming look, she will be paid at least 50,000 yuan.

Most ovum providers are white collar, young, beautiful and well-educated with spotless backgrounds. Due to the meager incomes many make, some resort to taking a shortcut by getting involved in the illegal ovum trade.

Donors must pass an interview and physical examination before giving up their ova, all in all taking up nearly half a month. Both boss and buyers mostly favor white collars and college students. Foreigners however, also make for in-demand providers . In September 2012, a 20-year-old Hungarian student sold her ova to a wealthy businessman who would like to have a mixed-race baby. Price tag? 60,000 yuan.

It is never an easy job to find a perfect ovum, even if you do have the money. A healthy woman can, at most, supply ova a mere five times, which indicates the urgent demand for more providers. What's more, the quality of an ovum cannot be completely ensured since family genetics are usually hidden beneath the surface.

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