Dozens of women, IVF doctors arrested in Turkey over alleged international egg trafficking network

Turkish authorities have launched judicial proceedings against 53 people, including 41 alleged egg donors, over an international human reproductive cell trafficking network, according to Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek. Gürlek stated that those taken into custody included the alleged organization's leader, five managers, two obstetrician-gynecologists, and four travel organizers. One suspect is already in prison, while authorities are seeking 16 others, including seven believed to be abroad. The investigation found that 41 women had sold their eggs a total of 811 times. Gürlek claimed the probe was launched after a tip submitted through Turkey's Presidential Communication Center and suggested the network extended to Turkish-occupied Cyprus, Albania, and Georgia. He wrote on X/Twitter: "We are steadfastly continuing our fight against criminal organizations that direct women into illegal reproductive cell trafficking, disregarding human dignity and bodily integrity." Turkey prohibits egg, sperm, and embryo donation for IVF, restricting treatment to married heterosexual couples using their own cells.