DONOR INSEMINATION - THE GIFTING AND SELLING OF SEMEN

The authors examine the implications for individuals and society of ho w semen is provided for use in donor insemination treatment. In partic ular, they focus on whether 'donors' make a gift of their semen or are paid. The role of health professionals in shaping the nature and mean ing of semen provision is also explored. The currently predominant pra ctice of buying semen is compared with other reproductive and biomedic al exchanges: oocyte and embryo donation, surrogacy, and blood, organ and fetal tissue donation. The authors suggest that the commercialisat ion of semen determines and reflects the type of men frequently recrui ted to provide semen. This in turn influences the meaning that donors themselves, recipients, offspring, health professionals and society at large attribute to the provision of semen. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd