Donor shortage driving women to buy sperm online
A nationwide shortage of sperm donations is leading would-be mums to put their health at risk, warn experts
Would-be mums are overcoming the UK’s sperm donor shortage by resorting to risky methods of getting hold of sperm, including shopping at illegal online sperm banks.
These sites could be putting women in danger of catching infections such as HIV and hepatitis if the sperm hasn’t been properly screened.
More women are also visiting overseas fertility clinics to try to get pregnant, which could carry similar risks.
“Although many patients do receive a high standard of care abroad, this is not ideal and the rules and regulations in other countries can be totally different from that in the UK,” Susan Seenan, from Infertility Network UK, told the Telegraph.
Low sperm donation levels have been linked to a change in the law in 2005, which removed a donor’s right to anonymity.
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The Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, the Government’s fertility watchdog, is looking into the issue and considering reforming the law that bans payment for donations.
Experts believe Britain needs a donor-recruitment organisation a bit like The National Blood Service to meet demand.
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