Sperm Donation

[bammertheblue]

No offense taken.

My main reason for posting is to help those that are considering donating (sperm/eggs/embryos) understand that their donations could create human beings that may or may not seek them later.

The commercial banks that advertise for donations do a very poor job of educating both donors and recipients. Most are just in the business to make a profit.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from donating but I do want anyone considering this to educate themselves before making this kind of decision.

As for actively seeking contact with my daughter's biological father and/or 1/2 siblings, we would never intrude on anyone's privacy that is why the registry is operating. It is there for those that want to be found but many people aren't aware of its existence.

Thanks
I figured the registry was something like that. I am glad that you are not going to intrude on anyone's privacy. It's hard for me to really know how I feel about this...on the one hand, doesn't someone have the right to know who their biological parents are...but what if the biological parents don't want to be found? It's hard to say I think.

 

[AionOlam]

Thanks
I figured the registry was something like that. I am glad that you are not going to intrude on anyone's privacy. It's hard for me to really know how I feel about this...on the one hand, doesn't someone have the right to know who their biological parents are...but what if the biological parents don't want to be found? It's hard to say I think.

All the rights belong to the donor conceived individuals. They signed nothing. As human beings they should have as much access to their ancestry and medical history as anyone else.

But getting back on track with the subject of the thread I just want to emphasize that anyone contemplating being a sperm donor should understand that with all the new techniques for matching DNA, the ability to remain anonymous is rapidly diminishing and if remaining anonymous is a priority, you should reconsider signing up to donate.

 

[LouTheWicked]

Males are so lucky, they have an unlimited supply of sperm while we have an limited supply of eggs we can sell.

But then again, we'd have menstral cycles for the rest of our lives. Hmmm. We probably are better off.

 

[fillerbunny]

Thanks for the info, Aion!

Another thing I'd consider if I were a male interested in donating is how it might impact not only myself but my family if I were to be contacted at some point years down the line by a child (or children) conceived using my sperm.

 

[quatona]

Males are so lucky, they have an unlimited supply of sperm while we have an limited supply of eggs we can sell.

...but the price per egg is uncomparably higher than the price per sperm.

 

[fillerbunny]

Yes.. but look at the experience of having one's eggs harvested compared to the experience of donating sperm (which I would imagine is at the very least pleasurable to some degree as far as the donor's concerned, lol). Props to the women who are capable of doing it, cause I don't think I could go through with it.. even with the payoff.

 

[AionOlam]

The impact on a donor's family can be very significant, especially for the donors who treat their donating days as some sort of "dirty" secret and don't tell their parents, wife and/or children. What the donors need to realize is their own children are at risk for possibly dating or marrying a 1/2 sibling.

As for higher payment for egg donors vs. sperm donors, egg donors are at a significant higher health risk from the drugs they are given to stimulate egg production and the harvest itself. Some egg donors have become infertile or had significant damage done to their ovaries.

Unfortunately, the commercial banks minimize the risks and don't provide proper counseling to any donors.