An alarming human-egg harvesting operation involving approximately 100 women held as captives has been uncovered in Georgia, a former Soviet nation. Orchestrated by Chinese criminals, the scandal came to light after three Thai women were rescued from the ‘egg mafia’ by an NGO based in Thailand, as reported by the Bangkok Post.
Pavena Hongsakula, the founder of the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, revealed that she was informed about the racket by a former victim who had paid the gang approximately Rs 1.8 lakh to secure her release and return to Thailand.
According to the victim, other Thai women remained trapped at the human egg farm due to their inability to pay for their freedom. These women were enticed by job offers on Facebook promising salaries ranging from Rs 10 lakh (11,500 euros) to Rs 15 lakh (17,000 euros) for serving as surrogates for Georgian couples facing infertility issues.
The organization behind the job offer handled the victims’ passports and visas, but upon arrival in Georgia, the women were swiftly ushered into large properties alongside around a hundred other women. It soon became apparent to the victims that the job offer was a facade and they had been ensnared in something much more sinister.
During a press briefing, one victim disclosed that they were administered hormones to stimulate their ovaries and were compelled to undergo egg extraction procedures monthly.
“The women were given injections, anesthetized, and their eggs were harvested using a machine. Once we realized the reality behind the advertisement, we became fearful and attempted to contact our families back home,” the victim stated.
Ms. Pavena pointed out that the harvested eggs were likely being sold and trafficked to other countries for use in in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Also Read | Odds Of Asteroid The Size Of Football Field Colliding With Earth Increased Yet Again
‘The horrors’
Reacting to the news on social media, users called for stringent international regulations on the reproductive industry.
“Regulate this immediately! There must be thorough background checks on the origins of donor eggs,” one user demanded, while another added, “This sheds light on the dark and shady side of surrogacy. It’s truly heartbreaking to imagine what these women endured.”
A third individual commented, “Many of us are unaware of the suffering that others endure, making it difficult to comprehend the horrors some people face!”
Surapan Thaiprasert, the commander of the Foreign Affairs Division of the Royal Thai Police, informed Reuters that Thai authorities were conducting further investigations into the case.
