7PM report

[Caramello]

Did anyone see the 7 PM report today? One of the FS from Melbourne IVF was explaining about the shortage of sperm donors across Australia - that there are only 10 donors basically available atm.

She pointed out that both Dave Hughes and Charlie Pickering were ideal donors. Dave Hughes reacted badly to the whole idea - particularly with the idea that a child from a donation had the right to find him at age 18.

Then there was some confusion as to entitlements under the law.

George Negus got offended as he was out of the running.

The whole segment was set up as Melbourne IVF is now advertising for donors.

Dave asked about payments and the FS very sensibly said that altrustic donors were preferred.

Did anyone else see it? What did you think?

[TeniBear]

I didn't see it, but I did read an article today saying Australia has a "shortage" of sperm donors. I immediately told Scott he should do it

[barney]

yes i did see it hun and found it very interesting.
to the point that im wanting to donate my eggs(ive always wanted to danoate them but think now sooner than later) (i know it was about sperm but still got me thinking )
i asked dh if he would donate sperm and like george negus , says "but babe they rekon im too old ?"47
well i said no i dont think so ..i mean we have a 3 month old ivf baby so how could they say your to old ?how can my dh still go through the hole ivf thing but be to old to donate ?
my point is if you can still produce sperm you shouldnt be to old yeh ?/?
so im going to be calling our clinic TODAY to see what they say cause im very serious if we can help some poor couple have there dreams come true why wouldnt you
and yes hun charlie and daves reaction wasnt the best at all

if i remember correctly in nsw alone there is only 10 registered sperm donors and dave and charlies only comment were "well what if they come looking for me when they turn 18 "omg what...

[*Beema*]

I did see the segment, and found it quite interesting. I couldn't believe that in the whole state of NSW there were only 10 sperm donors (not sure how many egg donars), from a population of just under 7 million people . One of the guys actually said that it doesn't do a lot for the gene pool of IVF users needing sperm donation in NSW.

They also discussed the limit on donations I think it was now 5-10 donations, I am not certain on this bit as DD was making noise , but I am wondering if there were previously limitations as previously it was annonymous, therefore no records of who made the donations so it may not have been clear how many donations some of the previous donors had actually made, so if for instance an individual made 20 or 30 donations the risk of his "children" possibly meeting up in the future increases and the risks associated with "half brother/sister" relationships.

I think it highlights a number of issues, as Hughsey said he didn't want a heap of people knocking on his door at the age of 18 wanting to meet him, even though they have no right to his money, cars houses etc. I think there would still be that connection that you have helped conceived that person, when you meet them face to face how would you deal with seeing someone that is like you....? How would you separate yourself from them emotionally... some would be happy jsut to meet the donor and htank them, others may have more questions as to why, how many other donations did they make etc.

Please let me know if I am wrong with any of this it was a bit tricky to listen to all of it thanks to DD

[Caramello]

Smithy,

I think the reason that they limit the donors to age 45 is so that there is more likelyhood of an 18 year old being able to be in contact with their donor father. I know that our donor 'just' made the limit at age 44.

Beema,

The donor is limited to donating to 10 families. You're right - it was a big deal when there were anonymous donors that were not tracked. Geraldine Hewitt is a child created from donor sperm, and in her research to find her father she found one man donated over a period of nine years to six different Sydney clinics — he made 318 donations — and these clinics don't have records for how many resulting births."

I think that this is why they don't want to go down the paying for sperm track - I always see that episode of the Simpsons where Barney has donated to support his alcoholism, and there are 20 kids in the same suburb all with his familiar burp.

To me meeting an unknown donor would not be all that dissimilar to an adoptee meeting with their biological mother or father. Most children would be interested in finding out about their biological family.

What I found interesting in the whole segment was that a) it really showed why men were very reluctant to donate, and b) the lengths the clinics have to go to now to try to attract donors. And I really don't know how the clinics will overcome that reluctance.

[Freya]

I didnt see it but its interesting that they have such a shortage. My Dh would never do it (and he isnt keen on me donating eggs either) because he cant handle the idea of a child of his/mine biologically out there not knowing us. Which is fair enough.
I definately think the child being able to access donor information at 18 is what scares alot off. They may be donating out of good will but not at all interested in knowing the resulting child. I can only imagine how confronting it would be for the donor; to be married with a family 20yrs down the track and suddenly have this person show up announcing they are the product of your donation. But then again I can see how the child may want to know the donor/family.

Dhs answer to the donor shortage? Give single soldiers in the military the day off for donating and there will never be a shortage again His arguement is youll be guaranteed they are fit and healthy and usually disease free.