All in One Basket

“I could see how women are addicted to this, because I feel so fine afterwards…five more grand—five more!” In this brave new world, “get cash” ads aimed at young women asking them to sell their ova to infertile couples attracted 13,000 women in 2002 to undergo a complex regimen involving synthetic hormones, injections, trans-vaginal ultrasounds, and finally, surgery. When one of the three women profiled in Lauren Berliner's short documentary All in One Basket begins the process, the unemployed 22-year-old meets the requirements set for SAT scores, GPA, and a college degree, but she's ultimately rejected because of her grandmother's bipolar disorder. Of course, what's to stop her from simply going to another “donation” agency and lying? And why is it called “donation” when it is clearly cash-for-body-part? (Even one representative of a “donation” company notes that the government may ultimately need to regulate the industry.) Judy Norsigian, co-author of Our Bodies, Ourselves, points out that no long-term studies have been done on the later fertility of egg sellers (one interviewee here had a rare but very unpleasant side effect from the procedure). Unfortunately, while the film raises many questions, there's not enough time for answers, and even some of that is wasted on an “artist” with her “installation” of her own eggs in a deli case. Optional. Aud: C, P. (R. Reagan)