Feasibility of an altruistic sperm donation program in Canada: results from a population-based model

Abstract

BackgroundStringent donor-screening criteria and legislation prohibiting payment for donor gametes have contributed to the radical decline of donor insemination (DI) using sperm provided by Canadian men. Thus, many individuals rely on imported sperm. This paper examines the feasibility of an altruistic sperm donation (ASD) program to meet the needs of Canadians.MethodsUsing Canadian census data, published literature and expert opinions, two population-based, top-down mathematical models were developed to estimate the supply and demand for donor sperm and the feasibility of an ASD program.ResultsIt was estimated that 63 donors would pass Canadian screening criteria, which would provide 1,575 donations. The demand for DI by women was 7,866 samples (4,319 same sex couples, 1,287 single women and 2,260 heterosexual couples).ConclusionConsiderable effort would be necessary to create the required increase in awareness of the program and change in societal behaviour towards sperm donation for an ASD program to be feasible in Canada.

Perspectives of health care professionals on artificial insemination of donor semen: appraising their knowledge and perceptions. A single institution study in Nigeria

“…19 Subsequently, legislation prohibiting payment for semen donation in a society with less altruistic semen donors may experience reduction in semen donation; this was observed in Canada and mainland China where semen donation for monetary gain is illegal. 12,20 There were concerns about semen donation which may have influence the high number of unwillingness to donate semen for artificial insemination. Such concerns included religious beliefs against semen donation (25%), cultural belief with semen donation perceived as a taboo (21.7%), fear of being screened for HIV and genetic disorder (23.3%) and fear of donated semen being used for fetish things other than for insemination (25%).…”

The ethical case for non-directed postmortem sperm donation

“…The reasons men decide to donate their sperm include altruism, procreation and genetic parenthood, as well as financial reasons;12 yet living sperm donation remains uncommon among British men 13. This may be because of the loss of donor anonymity and the demands of donating sperm which include health tests, counselling and intimate discussions, and travel to clinics to make donations weekly for 3–6 months 14. While there have been discussions of how to increase donations during life, including greater financial incentives, at best this can only offset the disruption of sperm donation in life 15…”

Decriminalizing Payment of Gamete Donors and Surrogates in Canada: An Analysis of Factors Influencing the Public Debate in Light of Bill C-404

“…They thus do not believe that Health Canada's regulation will eradicate the current grey market (CBC 2018;Cohen 2016;Housefather 2018;Panitch 2018). On this point, studies indicate that money does significantly influence one's willingness to donate eggs and sperm-particularly among younger donors (Gezinski et al 2016;O'Reilly et al 2017). It is also interesting to note that a 2017 study assessing the feasibility of a self-sufficient altruistic sperm donation program in Canada suggests that, while the current "demand for donor insemination exceeds the potential supply available from eligible and willing Canadian men" (O' Reilly et al 2017, 5), an "altruistic sperm donation program could be achieved under optimal conditions in Canada."…”

“…Decriminalization of payment would harmonize law with practice and prevent the Canadian government from continuing to enforce a legal framework where Canadians have to import gametes from countries where donors are generally paid or travel to more lenient judicial frameworks to find surrogates who will also be generally paid, while payment is prohibited in Canada (Baylis et al 2018;Baylis and Downie 2013;Deonandan 2015;O'Reilly et al 2017;Panitch 2018).…”