"Freezing the Biological Clock" | 60 Minutes Archive

Market Trends & Industry Dynamics - Fertility rates in the United States are near historic lows, partly due to a decline in women having babies in their 20s [1] - Demand for egg freezing has skyrocketed since it became an accepted practice 12 years ago, with hundreds of thousands of eggs now frozen [3] - The number of egg freezing procedures has increased more than six times over from 6,000 in 2014 to more than 39,000 in 2023 [30] - Venture capital and private equity firms have invested in egg freezing startups and fertility clinics, consolidating them into large networks [30] Investment Opportunities & Potential Risks - A single egg freezing cycle costs an average of $12,000 to $15,000, plus $500 to $1,000 each year for storage, and an additional $10,000 to thaw and fertilize the eggs [20] - Over a third of the largest corporations in the US (those with 20,000 or more employees) cover egg freezing as a benefit [21] - A 2022 study found that 70% of women who froze at least 20 eggs before the age of 38 had a baby [41] - There are concerns that private equity-backed fertility companies may pressure doctors to encourage more cycles to increase revenue [43][44] Ethical & Social Considerations - Elective egg freezing may send women the message to delay motherhood, despite medical risks and uncertain success [40] - The majority of women who electively freeze their eggs are white and well-resourced, highlighting a gap in reproductive options based on socioeconomic status [45] - Some believe society should focus on policies like paid parental leave and flexible hours to make it easier for women to have babies younger [40]