Frozen embryos advertised for sale in Iran amid economic malaise

An informal market for frozen embryos appears to be emerging on Iranian social media and online marketplaces, where sellers are advertising them for cash outside the country’s donation system, local media reported on Monday.

One advertisement offered eight frozen embryos for one billion rials (about $4400), although it was unclear whether the price applied to each embryo or the entire group, Jahan-e Sanat newspaper reported on Monday.

Another seller advertised 18 frozen embryos and asked prospective buyers to suggest a price. Similar advertisements for embryos, eggs, sperm and surrogacy services have appeared on Instagram and Telegram.

The advertisements directed prospective buyers away from the original platform to continue discussions elsewhere, with little information about the people offering the embryos or how any transfer would take place.