Using More Sperm From Donors - A Ticking Time Bomb?

Posted by Joanna Karpasea-Jones Dec 19, 2008

I understand the dilemma that infertility clinics are in and the need for sperm and egg donors to cope with the increasing demands placed upon them, but I do think that the British Fertility Society is short sighted to be lobbying for an increase in the number of children allowed to be created from one man's sperm.

Why?

Ten is already a high number of children per man and although donors are no longer anonymous, sperm donation is not recorded on birth certificates or medical records of children born from it and donor records would only be released to the child if his parents decided to tell him about his origins, which is understandably totally voluntary. Parents who decide not to inform their child that they resulted from sperm donation would not allow them access to information about any other siblings they may have.

This means that if they were to meet the love of their life he or she might turn out to be their brother or sister.

A case occured in the UK in 2008 where twin brother and sister unwittingly married each other without realizing their true relationship. They had been adopted out at birth and separated to live with different families and when they met up again, had a strong connection to each other. The marriage was immediately annulled after they discovered their true identity, highlighting the need for accurate records and honesty in adoption procedings. Likewise, a child born after sperm donation should be told at the age of 18 or earlier.

Any move to use more sperm from one man and increase the chances of an incestious marriage is not a good idea.