Infertility

But we have to," she added in a briefing for reporters.

In the United States the baby business is a 3 billion dollar annual industry, while in Britain it is calculated to be 1 billion dollars.

The core market for treatments are infertile couples.

Same-sex couples, single people, patients with genetic disorders and couples wanting to select the gender of their child also seek treatments.

The disparity in the cost of treatments and what is allowed in various countries has created an international market, with people travelling abroad to get what they can't get at home or for a cheaper price.

Spar, who will present her findings on Wednesday at the annual conference of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) which regulates treatments in Britain, said the cost of egg donation in the United States ranges from $4 500-50 000 (about R25 000 - R312 000) She predicts the new wave will be embryo donation or sales.

"When people want children and cannot produce children they will do virtually anything," she said, adding that infertile couples do not behave as rational consumers.

Because several treatments may be necessary, the average price of a baby conceived through assisted reproduction in the United States is $58 000.

The average cost for IVF is $12 400.

"I don'...

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