ADOPTION AND DONOR INSEMINATION - FACTORS INFLUENCING COUPLES CHOICES

The increasing availability of donor insemination (DI) gives couples f aced with male infertility a choice between DI and adoption, and for m any, DI is now the preferred option. The results of a study of 54 coup les who gave birth to a child or children by means of DI are presented both quantitatively and qualitatively, and show that most couples who have children by DI have considered adoption. Their reasons for choos ing DI range from the practical to the emotional, from perceived negat ive aspects of adoption to perceived advantages of DI. This article di scusses these perceptions and their implications.