View Full Version : Donating your sperm/eggs
On my school newspaper, there are at least one advertisement per week that recruits sperm/egg donors- I believe it's about $6,000 or more for an egg, and $200 per sperm sample.
So the question is, if you were in desperate need of money, or just wanted 'easy' money for little effort, would you consider donating your egg/sperm?
Jiant Flying Panda
10-04-2005, 05:32 PM
Vote yes.
$200 for whacking it?
It's win-win.
Vote yes.
$200 for whacking it?
It's win-win.
Nicely said.
Raoine
10-04-2005, 05:44 PM
I say no... Unless I was desperately dirt poor, I'd feel like I was giving an intimate part of myself away to people who would not treat that part of me as tenderly as I would. My cells are mine, and one day [should I ever find someone and marry them] they will be passed on to my children.
Peekaboo
10-04-2005, 05:45 PM
Donating eggs is a really invasive procedure. If you have nothing better to do for the better part of a two months, other than to go into a facitlity every day and be monitered, poked, tested upon, and given weird drugs daily that could shorten your fertility over a life time, egg donation isn't such a bad idea.
Personally, I think guys have it better. Sure it isn't $6000, but it's a lot easier and takes less time to donate sperm.
I'm with donating sperm- but because I'm a dude, and extracting my sperm is not a chore, heck naw :D I don't mind someone using my sperm sample to have a child, as long as I have no responsiblity for it and I don't see no doppleganger of mine calling me daddy in the distant future. I don't expect much guys to object to the idea of being a sperm donor anyway.
But with women, extracting the ova is a more delicate process, and may result in bleeding, unintended pregnancy, and Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Not to mention that the long term effects of donating the eggs are not known so far.
Also, the qualifications for being a sperm/egg donor can be pretty steep. Nobody wants the sperm sample from a hobo/tramp! Not to mention that having an active sex life/active use of drugs/alcohol hurt the chances of being a donor.
Sardaukar
10-04-2005, 05:56 PM
I'd do it without a second thought. People donate blood, which is a part of them, so why not sperm? The cash incentive only sweetens the deal.
Katiekoneko
10-04-2005, 05:57 PM
I think ppl can donate sperm cuz its easy
but donating eggs..too difficult.not worth it.
Shamu
10-04-2005, 06:00 PM
I say no... Unless I was desperately dirt poor, I'd feel like I was giving an intimate part of myself away to people who would not treat that part of me as tenderly as I would. My cells are mine, and one day [should I ever find someone and marry them] they will be passed on to my children.
I agree with you here. I think the only time I could ever give that part of myself would be to someone I knew personally that couldn't have kids, and even then it would still have so many complications...
If you wanna do it though, it can help out alot of people who can't have kids.
I just don't think I could live with myself knowing that there's the possibilty of a little "me" out there that I didn't know. I could feel this way because I already have a kid and I'm a girl. I dunno.
EDIT : oh yeah, on another personal note, I don't think I would like it too much if the guy I was with had donated (at any point in his life). It's one thing if he has kids from previous relationships that he's involved with, but another to have some kid possibly show up on your door one day and say that he/she belongs to your boyfriend/husband. I realize that confidentiality is important to most clinics, but it seems that when people want to know something, they'll find a way around it.
Raoine
10-04-2005, 06:07 PM
I'd do it without a second thought. People donate blood, which is a part of them, so why not sperm? The cash incentive only sweetens the deal.
It is pretty cut and dry what happens to donated blood. Also, donated blood can't create new human beings. :)
Raoine
10-04-2005, 06:11 PM
I agree with you here. I think the only time I could ever give that part of myself would be to someone I knew personally that couldn't have kids, and even then it would still have so many complications...
If you wanna do it though, it can help out alot of people who can't have kids.
I just don't think I could live with myself knowing that there's the possibilty of a little "me" out there that I didn't know. I could feel this way because I already have a kid and I'm a girl. I dunno.
That's exactly how I feel. It would bother me every waking day to think of the possibility of me having a child that will never be...mine. My blood and genetics, but at the same time, something completely aside from me.
That or the possibility that they are using my cells for experimentation. That would be equally unnerving. :(
Raoine
10-04-2005, 06:13 PM
Even if they can, Jay, they don't. The only way that that process works still involves a sperm and an egg. They just extract genetic material from one particular cell, and replace it with the DNA of another. With only blood, the procedure is impossible, currently.
... No. I really don't think I would, although $6000? Maaaaaybe.
Citizen
10-04-2005, 08:42 PM
I'd do it. Hell, I'd promote my sperm. I'd love for there to be a little fleet of bastard children that I helped make, but can't be held responsible for. Oh, and money is always good.
This is from an egg donor FAQ page:
"How am I paid for donations?
Due to the dedication, time, and effort required by participation in the donor egg program, you will be adequately compensated for each cycle you complete. Donors are compensated $5000 on the day of the egg retrieval. You may generally donate multiple times and compensation can exceed $45,000."
And from the same page, for sperm donors:
Program Acceptance -
Once you are accepted into the confidential donor program, you will be compensated for each acceptable specimen you produce. Current donors in the program are earning an average of $200.00 per specimen. Success in this program will be determined by your own semen quality and commitment to the program. Total monthly compensation from semen donation can exceed $2000.
LJustus
10-04-2005, 09:09 PM
$2000/month!!!
That's what I call a part-time job.
Yoonafkenenen
10-04-2005, 09:13 PM
Now all those tissues and tube socks are starting to look like dollar bills!
Praetorian
10-04-2005, 09:13 PM
I'd do it. Not for the money, I just want to give a bit of awesomeness to the world. Hell, I'd do it for free.
They just don't do that shit over here.
PopCulturePooka
10-04-2005, 09:15 PM
I'd do it. Not for the money, I just want to give a bit of awesomeness to the world. Hell, I'd do it for free.
They just don't do that shit over here.
What you could do is wank into a cup and throw it at women you think need some awesomeness!
As for the original question, yeah I would.
Praetorian
10-04-2005, 09:16 PM
What you could do is wank into a cup and throw it at women you think need some awesomeness!
Way ahead of you. They didn't appreciate it much. But they will, in time.
Yoonafkenenen
10-04-2005, 09:16 PM
What you could do is wank into a cup and throw it at women you think need some awesomeness!
As for the original question, yeah I would.
Didn't a crazy dude do that in Silence of The Lambs..?
Jiant Flying Panda
10-04-2005, 09:20 PM
Didn't a crazy dude do that in Silence of The Lambs..?
Haha yeah. But it wasn't in a cup....
OliveButtercup
10-04-2005, 10:08 PM
Haha yeah. But it wasn't in a cup....
LMAO oh God...I just saw that scene in the movie a few days ago! Back to the OT, If I was a guy, I think I'd have to be pretty hard up (pun intended) for cash to donate my sperm that could potentially end up being my chilluns somewhere...
Random
10-04-2005, 10:17 PM
I'm going for no, I wouldn't donate.
It wouldn't seem right.
....however, if I was, like, about to die because of either lack of cash or some other reason, I might:
lack of cash: obvious
dying: well, gotta spread the [genes/love]
Besides, if loads of people donated, then the $200 could go down to like $100, and the people who really need the cash can't get enough, so they die and shit, and you don't want that happening because you got greedy.
Unless you're an evil, mean person. Then you should be dying youself. Mmm.
ellie
10-04-2005, 10:51 PM
My school often has ads for egg and sperm donation. I've thought about it, but I'm still undecided if I would actually do it. The process for girls sounds hard--lots of weird hormones to take that make you uber-fertile, so like if a boy breaths on you you'll pretty much get pregnant. And then there is minor surgery involved to retrieve the eggs.
However, I read that you can usually only donate once, because of the chance that later on, if you donated several times, the kids will meet each other, and not knowing that they are siblings, could try to have sex or something and then their kids would have giant heads and tails.
Monkey
10-04-2005, 11:07 PM
I'd donate in a flash, if they actually had paying sperm banks in England :(
A new way of supporting my student finances, wanking your way through university. Beats working anyhow :p
Jiant Flying Panda
10-04-2005, 11:12 PM
I'd donate in a flash, if they actually had paying sperm banks in England :(
A new way of supporting my student finances, wanking your way through university. Beats working anyhow :p
Donate in a flash...... Okay, minute man :p.
I think there's a limit to how many times you can do it..... So paying for college is out of the question :(
keitaidensha
10-04-2005, 11:13 PM
i donated my sperm to your mom's face
FOR SCIENCE!
However, I read that you can usually only donate once, because of the chance that later on, if you donated several times, the kids will meet each other, and not knowing that they are siblings, could try to have sex or something and then their kids would have giant heads and tails.
It turns out that only a small percentage of kids who were conceived of incest are born with problems.
I wouldn't either - wouldn't like the idea of non-sanctioned little Pete's running around. I'd rather know where my DNA ends up.
Dead Sexy Vocab
10-05-2005, 12:26 AM
This looks like a job for....
D PAD AND VOCAAAAAB!!
So no guy thinks, "Uh... that's my kid."
Would you give up your child for $200? I doubt you would. I think a few people just answered yes because pretending like they care might hurt the image they want to put out.
Your sperm, your kid. It's different from blood.
Anubis Nine
10-05-2005, 01:58 AM
I'd donate my eggs. Gots to keep that genetic line going. Hell. I'd donate for free if there were a need.
Just like blood. Just like I'm giving up all my organs when I die.
The requirements for being a sperm donor is more restricted than I thought.
First of all, a physical exam, renal ultrasound (if that is what I think it is, I don't want to think about it), blood exam, not to mention extensive genetic and infectious disease tests from the semen samples.
(never mind, renal means kidney exams. Makes more sense now)
You also got to live near the facility as you need to have a six month commitment, donating at least once a week. Seems like they test the semen on weekly basis, and the six month commitment is vital in order to have enough specimen after the
extensive testing.
Oh, and you also have to abstain 2-3 days before the donation.
Still, once you pass the exam and can go through the six month commitment, you are guaranteed $800 per month, $4800 for half a year. I wouldn't recommend making a living out of it, but beats most part time jobs! :)
Dead Sexy Vocab
10-05-2005, 02:04 AM
Hot DAMN, me and my left hand are RARIN' TO GO!! :D
Ladies, here's the FAQ for egg donation.
http://www.fairfaxcryobank.com/cryo/prospect_donor.htm
This is for the facility in Fairfax, VA, and I'm pretty sure there are other locations throughout the States.
mediocre
10-05-2005, 02:41 AM
Can the mother of your donated sperm collect child support from you?
before you answer that rhetorical question, google may help
keitaidensha
10-05-2005, 03:12 AM
Hot DAMN, me and my left hand are RARIN' TO GO!! :D
lefties unite :jam:
Anubis Nine
10-05-2005, 04:26 AM
And to put an iceing on it, I wouldn't be all like: I wantz my childrenz after donating my eggs.
UGH.
Like someone else said above, I want to know how many kids I have out there, rather than just leaving it up to wild speculation.
Praetorian
10-05-2005, 08:54 AM
Can the mother of your donated sperm collect child support from you?
before you answer that rhetorical question, google may help
Can the father of the donated egg?
Annoying MSN Person
10-05-2005, 02:22 PM
Well. No. Not just yet. But when I'm older, I would like to help someone else have the gift of a child. We're meant to be wired to ensure our genetic line is passed down, and I'd be open enough if the child eventually wanted to track his or her heritage. If my significant other has donated gratuitous quantities of sperm... well at least his wild oats will be sown.
However, those that do it solely for remuneration do slightly bother me.
Child: So how did I come to be?
Parent: Well, a capitalist pig saw a niche in the market in which he/she could capitalise on their unused resources with end net gain through little output or expenditure.
I'm also down for blood donation (the plasma transfusions my father received kept him vital enough to still be awake and lucid for his last days) and organ donation, when it comes to that.
But how long until this method becomes outmoded? In a couple of generations it'll go Gattaca-esque.
Idlethought
10-05-2005, 02:28 PM
Donating eggs is a really invasive procedure. If you have nothing better to do for the better part of a two months, other than to go into a facitlity every day and be monitered, poked, tested upon, and given weird drugs daily that could shorten your fertility over a life time, egg donation isn't such a bad idea.
Personally, I think guys have it better. Sure it isn't $6000, but it's a lot easier and takes less time to donate sperm.
plus for us its more fun ^_^
Daisuke
10-05-2005, 04:19 PM
I have a couple lady friends that paid for college by donating eggs. $10,000. They tell me that it was hard (physically) to do but well worth the time and effort.
Janken
10-05-2005, 06:33 PM
I think JFP said it best. $200 dollars for whacking it? Set phasers to HELL YES!
Many sperm donors choose to participate after the six month commitment expires... and I wonder why.
Besides, the chance of the donor running into one of his/her biological child gotta be pretty slim in my opinion. Even if there was an encounter, it's more likely for both parties to consider it as deja vü.
Idlethought
10-05-2005, 08:49 PM
unless someone's a career sperm donor lol. then he'll be meetin his children every other day
InsertWapNameHere
10-05-2005, 10:16 PM
Please people, lets stop calling it donating. If you choose to sell your eggs or sperm, that's fine, just stop trying to glorify it. Unless you're not getting paid, it isn't donating.
Citizen
10-06-2005, 12:08 AM
Please people, lets stop calling it donating. If you choose to sell your eggs or sperm, that's fine, just stop trying to glorify it. Unless you're not getting paid, it isn't donating.
do·nate
v. do·nat·ed, do·nat·ing, do·nates
v.tr.
To present as a gift to a fund or cause; contribute.
v.intr.
To make a contribution to a fund or cause.
From the looks of the definition, a donation doesn't have to be a selfless act. Most people just assume it to be one.
Besides, if I remember correctly, the money is technically for the people's time and trouble. Could be wrong on that one though.
In any case, who cares? It's not as though you were posting to do anything beyond make an ass of yourself anyways. Try to contribute in the future.
IT'S YOUR KID. Why would you have a child that's yours only to throw him/her away for $200?
It's similar to getting a girl pregnant and then ditching her for some money; you all belong on the Maury show.
Alphonse v.2
10-06-2005, 01:21 AM
$2000/month!!!
That's what I call a part-time job.
For some of us thats not even a job, more like a hobby.
Oh and Citizen, I bet you will get paid more because your simply smarter then the average human.
Chuplayer
10-06-2005, 01:43 AM
for sperm donors:
Program Acceptance -
Once you are accepted into the confidential donor program, you will be compensated for each acceptable specimen you produce. Current donors in the program are earning an average of $200.00 per specimen. Success in this program will be determined by your own semen quality and commitment to the program. Total monthly compensation from semen donation can exceed $2000.
SHIT!!! Where do I sign up?
Citizen
10-06-2005, 01:45 AM
Oh and Citizen, I bet you will get paid more because your simply smarter then the average human.
Nah. I hover just slightly above retarded.
There I go, being a hypocrit again. Shucks. :(
Idlethought
10-06-2005, 03:02 AM
what about people that beat off then. couldnt you argue that theyre wasting potential children too? wouldnt they be "giving away" their children to tube socks and tissues across the world? how many of the sperm donators samples even get used?
Citizen
10-06-2005, 03:39 AM
If you want to get technical about it, even people who have sex for the sole purpose of having a child are wasting sperm, even if it all gets inside the woman. Humans can't get around it. Any guy who has sperm shoots more than one, but only one is needed. The rest are wasted. It really doesn't matter, and there's no way around it. At that point, sperm are basically just a part of the guy.
All sperm is is part of the potential making of a child, and wasting it doesn't really have any negative setbacks. Which is why I don't comprehend why some people are bothered by masturbation and sperm donation because they think it's a "waste of a human life". It really isn't. It's not a human life, and it's a part of and belongs to only one person.
Shamu
10-06-2005, 03:49 AM
I think it has to do with knowing who your children are.
The wasted sperm isn't going to be used for a child when you masterbate, but it will be if you donate (or has the potential to be used).
Being a mother now, I couldn't do it. I'd have to be involved in that child's life somehow, which is why I would only consider it for a very close friend or family member (which I wouldn't want to be paid for) and even then, I don't know if I could. I guess I'm selfish like that, but all my potential children are mine, I couldn't sell them.
Dead Sexy Vocab
10-06-2005, 03:51 AM
'Tis only a life form when 'tis fertilized with the egg.
Shamu
10-06-2005, 03:54 AM
To you and other people they may be, but when you're trying to have a baby each one is a potential child and precious.
Dead Sexy Vocab
10-06-2005, 03:56 AM
Come to think of it, you're absolutely right, Shamu...
It's a mater of life and death when every one of those sperm to have the job for fertilizing the egg.
NOW I SEE EVERYTHING..
Quartermaster
10-06-2005, 03:59 AM
IT'S YOUR KID. Why would you have a child that's yours only to throw him/her away for $200?
It's similar to getting a girl pregnant and then ditching her for some money; you all belong on the Maury show.
The fate worse than death, but not worse than watching it.
Anyway, I disagree with the need for donation services. There are plenty of kids in foster homes, orphanages and adoption agencies, they need homes, there is no reason I can think of of why anybody would want to implant themselves rather than adopt. Is it because of the sense of triumph after birth giving? If so, can it be simulated by passing a kidney stone?
If we can get the numbers of kids out of the FHOAA WAY down, or even to zero, I wouldn't really care about implants.
Idlethought
10-06-2005, 04:05 AM
because they want a fresh child? i dunno
Dead Sexy Vocab
10-06-2005, 04:06 AM
Babies.
Period.
Shamu
10-06-2005, 04:11 AM
Come to think of it, you're absolutely right, Shamu...
It's a mater of life and death when every one of those sperm to have the job for fertilizing the egg.
NOW I SEE EVERYTHING..
It is when you've had three miscarriages...and stop being a smart ass!
I actually saw a special once about new findings on sperm (thank you PBS). I guess they've found out that not all sperm is there to fertilize the egg, some of them are there to block foriegn sperm from getting to the egg first. I guess if a guy is with one (or two or three) woman long enough he will start to create sperm that will fight other sperm (I thought this was weird at first, but then they showed the video of it with all the little sperm fighting and attacking eachother and I knew it had to be true). It's kinda cool, like when a guy starts to cycle with a woman he lives with, his genetic material starts to get in sync with her too. So see? It's not just the little fertilizers that you guys are throwing out, it's the defence sperm too :D. Anyway, that was the gist of it. I'll see if I can find anymore info on it.
Oh and Quartermaster, *thumbs up* I agree with you about all the kids that need homes. And having been through childbirth, I can safely say that it's an experience that most women can take a pass on and still be "real" mothers. You don't need to give birth to be a mom.
Raoine
10-06-2005, 04:18 AM
It is when you've had three miscarriages...and stop being a smart ass!
I actually saw a special once about new findings on sperm (thank you PBS). I guess they've found out that not all sperm is there to fertilize the egg, some of them are there to block foriegn sperm from getting to the egg first. I guess if a guy is with one (or two or three) woman long enough he will start to create sperm that will fight other sperm (I thought this was weird at first, but then they showed the video of it with all the little sperm fighting and attacking eachother and I knew it had to be true). It's kinda cool, like when a guy starts to cycle with a woman he lives with, his genetic material starts to get in sync with her too. So see? It's not just the little fertilizers that you guys are throwing out, it's the defence sperm too :D. Anyway, that was the gist of it. I'll see if I can find anymore info on it.
Oh and Quartermaster, *thumbs up* I agree with you about all the kids that need homes. And having been through childbirth, I can safely say that it's an experience that most women can take a pass on and still be "real" mothers. You don't need to give birth to be a mom.
LOL
You make it sound like a sport... Something to be watched on ESPN... :)
"And the defense make an incredible block! Wow, look at that play! Oh, one of the forwards has penetrated the outer shell... He's in... He scores!!! WHAT a play!"
Shamu
10-06-2005, 04:22 AM
OMG! It was so funny watching the microscopic video footage of it! They really were attacking eachother! I was like...wow, typical guys (even though some of them are potentially girls :p).
I guess it makes sense in an evolutionary point of view. If a male wants to make sure that his genes and his genes only are passed on, there has to be a way to fight off sperm from another male that might impregnate his mate.
Raoine
10-06-2005, 04:28 AM
If it wasn't really late and a goofy idea, I'd draw a bunch of sperm wearing athletic jerseys and numbers... :3
Dead Sexy Vocab
10-06-2005, 04:28 AM
The movie, "Look Who's Talking," gave me great visuals about the human reproductive system. :D
OMG! It was so funny watching the microscopic video footage of it! They really were attacking eachother! I was like...wow, typical guys (even though some of them are potentially girls :p).
I guess it makes sense in an evolutionary point of view. If a male wants to make sure that his genes and his genes only are passed on, there has to be a way to fight off sperm from another male that might impregnate his mate.
Better than killing off the offsprings of other males, which is something mnay animals choose to do. In fact, the death of the offspring prompts the female to start ovulating in many cases.
For a sperm-related thread, I'm amazed nobody put this up yet.
Every sperm is sacred,
Every sperm is great,
If a sperm is wasted,
God gets quite irate.
Every sperm is sacred,
Every sperm is good,
Every sperm is needed,
In your neighborhood.
Every sperm is useful,
Every sperm is fine,
God needs everybody's,
Mine, and mine, and mine.
Let the pagans spill theirs,
O'er mountain, hill and plain.
God shall strike them down for
Each sperm that's spilt in vain.
Dead Sexy Vocab
10-06-2005, 04:32 AM
OK, you pro-Christians/Catholics are scaring me to death. :(
OK, you pro-Christians/Catholics are scaring me to death. :(
If you never heard about Monty Python, then you don't know what's funny.
Shamu
10-06-2005, 04:53 AM
Meaning of Life is one of the craziest movies ever! I love it!
I found alittle info on the whole sperm fighting thing too, go down to the bottom of the page for the info on it (in the sperm competition section).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperm_heteromorphism
Oh, and I think the show was on TLC, not PBS.
Nessa
10-06-2005, 05:21 AM
I don't know if I could do something like that. I don't think it'd be worth it.
In related news, a new law has been drafted that would make the Virgin Mary a criminal.
http://www.boomantribune.com/?op=displaystory;sid=2005/10/3/223530/406
more cheerios
10-06-2005, 01:34 PM
Speaking of donating...
I signed up for a blood donation appointment and forgot about it. For the second time. ARRRRGH.
... Sorry. D:
more cheerios
10-06-2005, 01:35 PM
OK, you pro-Christians/Catholics are scaring me to death. :(
You've never seen Monty Python's The Meaning of Life?!
... NO COOKIE FOR YOU! :eek:
spaik
10-06-2005, 02:37 PM
man i dont see why people make such a big deal of this... i mean, if i could have more kids in the world with my genetic makeup (well, a part of it at least) then that's good enough for me. frankly, i don't think my genetics are all that good, but whatever, if someone wants them, it takes me 5minutes and a cup, so it isnt a big deal. genetics doesn't make a kid your kid, love and commitment does.
on a side note, whats the big deal with your first born? hell, i'd give up my first born, as long as my commitment in raising said firstborn ends when i pull my dick out...
edit: man, with all you that think that genetics is important to what you consider 'your child', i'd hate to see your stance on adoption...
4letterwords
10-06-2005, 03:02 PM
If it wasn't such a long procedure I'd do it without a second thought. I mean, its the gift of LIFE... what greater gift can you give?
Even if thats all you ever do in your life, its still fulfilling... you gave a life to someone, you gave someone a child who couldn't have one...
And if none of that means anything to you, you get 6grand...
Talk amongst yourselves.
Balain
10-06-2005, 03:19 PM
I think it's fine to donate sperm and eggs. Don't think guys should get paid to doante though. Not sure if they do here or not. I would imagine they don't. Kind of like giving blood. Give em a cookie and a cup of juice.
Balain
10-06-2005, 04:03 PM
OK, you pro-Christians/Catholics are scaring me to death. :(
Shouldn't it be a requirment to have seen The meaning of life, Life of Brian, Monty Python and the holy grail, And now for something completely diffrent (or at least some of Monty python's flying circus) before making any post on any forum?
Shouldn't it be a requirment to have seen The meaning of life, Life of Brian, Monty Python and the holy grail, And now for something completely diffrent (or at least some of Monty python's flying circus) before making any post on any forum?
I second that. Nobody should be allowed to make a wiseass comment before watching any of these movies.
tambalina
10-06-2005, 08:13 PM
Like many of you, I think it is genetically irresponsible to try to make profit for yourself by selling your genetic material. While I understand that "samples" are put through vigorous tests before a person can be considered a candidate, as with all endeavors of science, there is still a margin for human error.
There are little to no laws regulating how donations are administered throughout the population. Without proper safeguards it is (albeit remotely) feasible that incest and inbreeding may occur in certain cities and/or regions. While I understand that there is only a small percentage of people that are affected by genetic disorders from incestual reproduction, it still occurs and the results can be disasterous. How fair would that be to future parents and their children? It would detrimental for any couple to have to learn that the people they are copulating with is their brother or sister. (It would make for a great country song, though ;) )
Little can be done to regulate people conceiving through natural measures. So to use the basis of argument that there could be similar situations already existing in the status quo and donating now is therefore justifiable, is a faulty one. This is one area of science/medicine that should be studied further before it is considered safe for society in general.
Adoption is a viable option. There are too many children in the "system" that need caring and loving homes. Again, it comes to the matter of social and moral responsiblity of the intended recipients of those donations. I have read too many stories of mothers who didn't want to "ruin their bodies" and hired out a surrogate mother. Or I am tired of seeing couples spend hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to become pregnant when they could have used that money spoiling a child that they could have rescued from a foster home. Until there are proper safeguards to regulate how samples can be used, I don't see how anyone is morally responsible selling their genetic material.
Ok, I'll stop ranting for now. Kinda hit a nerve.
Praetorian
10-06-2005, 08:21 PM
I shit you not. If there were any of those clinics around here I'd probably donate for free. The more of my genetics spread out over the world, the better. Gives you more chances that your descendants would actually achieve something. Not like that'd be a problem in my case, ofcourse.
Here's a link about ethical considerations of sperm donation.
http://www.stanford.edu/class/siw198q/websites/reprotech/New%20Ways%20of%20Making%20Babies/spermeth.htm
From the same link:
If a donor sires too many kids, the risk of producing children who will eventually copulate increases. Although it sounds unbelievable, half brothers and sisters (from the same donor father) have actually married not knowing they were related. Thus, sperm banks place a limitation on the number of children a donor can produce. A donor can produce a maximum of ten children with his sperm. This limit prevents the problem mentioned above and is adhered to by all sperm banks.
And the criterias considered in choosing a sperm donor.
Sperm banks differ in their selection of sperm donors. All are highly selective, but some are more selective than others. For example, California Cryobank only accepts donors who attend or have graduated from a "major four-year university." Donors must also be tall, trim, heterosexual, and between 19 and 34 years old. One sperm bank, the Repository of Germinal Choice at one time only accepted sperm from Nobel Prize winners. Other sperm banks like CryoGam Colorado, Inc. are selective, but not excessively so. They carry a more "normal" gene pool and their philosophy reflects a distaste for elitism. The disparity between ultra selective sperm banks and ones that cater to a more "normal" population raise ethical questions. Is only providing the most elite sperm a form of eugenics? As of yet, these ethical issues have not been resolved. Sperm banks can carry any type of sperm they wish as long as they adhere to proper laboratory standards and respect informed consent.
Dead Sexy Vocab
10-06-2005, 10:48 PM
I SHOULD watch Monty Python, then.
Thanks for notifying me, wiseasses. :D
Jynx_lucky_j
10-09-2005, 08:57 AM
Oh my god no! followed up by a hell no! And No again. I don't even donate blood (butthats do to a strong adversion to needles). Anyone that is doing this for the money or just to spread as much of the genetic material as possible...well lets just say it should be made that they can no longer have children... Doing it to legidimately help people who can't normally have children is another matter, though I think they should serously consider adoption first. Even if your not legally responsible, what are you going to do if one or more of these children decides to seek you out and ends up on you doorstep? And if you really just want to pass on your genetics, why not go out and have sex, i garantee i'll be more fun the beating off into a little cup. ...I guess its easier if you don't bother thinking about moral ramifications, and just consider the instant gratification (in both senses)
what about people that beat off then. couldnt you argue that theyre wasting potential children too? wouldnt they be "giving away" their children to tube socks and tissues across the world? how many of the sperm donators samples even get used? Well the differance is that the ones in your tube socks and tissues have no chance of becoming children (unless some very strange woman runs in and immediatly start rubbing herself with you recently dicarded sample). Obviously they won't use every single sperm you donate as there are millions in one sample. But then again at best only one will die with sex too. But the fact remains that your donation has a good chance of becoming a child.
Anyway, I disagree with the need for donation services. There are plenty of kids in foster homes, orphanages and adoption agencies, they need homes, there is no reason I can think of of why anybody would want to implant themselves rather than adopt. Is it because of the sense of triumph after birth giving? If so, can it be simulated by passing a kidney stone? Preach it brother! :D
genetics doesn't make a kid your kid, love and commitment does. You are right about this, I myself am adopted. My mother is my biological mother, but when she left my biological father and married my dad he legally adopted me. I remember a qoute for some commercail "Anyone can make a baby, but it takes a man to be a father." But that doesn't give you the right to make children that you don't care about. Unfortunately this happens enough with out these donations.
It is when you've had three miscarriages... Also I'm so sorry to hear that Shamu. My wife had a miscarriage. Its rough, and i feel for you.
Shamu
10-09-2005, 04:02 PM
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Also I'm so sorry to hear that Shamu. My wife had a miscarriage. Its rough, and i feel for you.
Yeah, that was THE worst time in my life. I'm so sorry to hear that your wife went through it too. You feel so helpless and like your body has failed you somehow. My doctor was giong to make me stop trying to get pregnant because it's so hard on your body (as well as mentally difficult), but fortunately on the last try I carried a healthy baby full term and I'm so grateful for my daughter now.
But having gone through the experience of miscarriages, it's made me very protective of what I've got, which is why I wouldn't want to donate unless it was a very close friend or family member, otherwise, I'd say adoption is a really good option (sorry for the rhyme) for people that can't have children. My cousin was adopted and my ex-sister in law was adopted. I don't think it makes you any less of a mother (or father, if you can't help your wife/partner concieve) if you can't actually carry the baby yourself. Giving birth doesn't make you a mother.
There's been some strong points made about for both pro- and anti- sperm/egg donation.
For the pro-party, I'd like to add that artificial insemination is an expensive option, and if anyone here actually went through with it (which I doubt) then they'd agree it is rather costly. Also, while artificial insemination may be costly, and to some, even selfish, as there are many children/infants in dire need of a loving family, it is only human instincts to trying to have a child that is composed of your own genetic materials. If you look into nature, other organisms are not very keen to adopt, if the lost offsprings don't become a dinner first. Adoption itself is not a cheap process either, and involves a lot of paperwork and preparation as well. I believe things are much tougher for foster children too.
And for anti-parties, I guess you have beef with the basic idea of selling/giving away your genetic material for financial compensation? Not to mention why people would go for artificial insemination rather than choosing adoption/foster families. All good arguments.
I'm leaning a bit towards pro myself.
Arvynia
10-11-2005, 04:10 PM
Maybe some ppl just want the experience. I'm guessing when a woman/man comes to that point in their life, they want to experience natural birth .... perhaps it goes deeper than that. Who knows - we are not those people who want the sperms/eggs donation, right?
I'm with Neko on this.
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