– Max Pettifer contributed with this report.
Sperm donating was once a huge part of the student lifestyle. Anyone between the ages of 18-40 could donate.
Depending on the male and circumstance, one donation would see the “goods turn to gold” as they earned around a £15 payout. With any tight student budget, this would allow a half decent round at the bar and a bucket load of tinned beans!
Payments, however, have now been abolished for sperm donating as it was deemed unethical and was banned by the government, although any expenses up to £250 accumulated in the process of the donation can be reimbursed.
But should the cash really be the main incentive to do such a noble job? “No it shouldn’t, because no amount of money should put a price on life,” says student Ryan James.
According to the National Gamete Trust (NGT), there’s a current shortage of donors and people are waiting around a year on average for a sufficient donor: “Only 384 people are donating and 500 are needed.”
Although a child born through sperm donation still has no legal, financial, social or moral rights over the donor, some people blame the decrease in donor numbers on the new right that children born from donations after 2009 can legally find the identity of their donor.
However, Joe Coleman doesn’t think that this should matter: “My Dad’s adopted and doesn’t want to know who his real parents are. It’s the people that are there for you, and act as the family figure when you grow up. These are the people who the child should be loyal too. And I think most of people born from donations may feel the same way,” he says.
Ryan says that knowing a child could trace him would stop him from donating: “I don’t like the idea of being psychologically and morally responsible. Although the law states the child has no moral right over the donor. It doesn’t change how you feel. Allowing the child to find your identity, allows them to possibly find you,’ explains Ryan.
There are many clinics across the UK that carry out sperm donation. NGT’s website, www.ngtd.co.uk, gives clear and practical information to those considering becoming a sperm or egg donor.
To help with further understanding involved in donating, contact the confidential helpline on 0845 226 9193.