Romanian IVF: a brief history through the ‘lens’ of labour, migration and global egg donation markets

This paper centres on a history of Romanian IVF, including the achievement of significant milestones and the establishment of key clinics. In addition to examining some of the legal and ethical aspects of IVF in Romania, the paper also details some important elements of IVF in neighbouring countries, providing a perspective on regional similarities and differences. Romania’s neighbours with similar economies and national-religious contexts have very different IVF pasts and presents. This highlights the importance of migration and cross-border egg donation in understanding IVF in Romania. After providing an analysis of Romania’s economy and migration, the paper examines Romania’s egg donation history, arguing that it has a so-called ‘extractive reproductive economy’.