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Stringent Policy Puts Sperm in Short Supply in Melbourne, Australia
Filed under: In The News, Infertility
A medical worker works on a dish ready for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Credit: Georges Gobet, AFP/Getty Images
The state of Victoria -- where Melbourne is the capital and around 5.5 million people reside -- is experiencing a severe shortage of sperm donors, The Age reports.
There are several reasons for the dearth of sperm. Last year, according to the Australian newspaper, laws were enacted allowing single women and lesbians access to IVF programs, which are partially covered by insurance.
Also, men are no longer allowed to remain anonymous when donating sperm, and are only permitted to give sperm to 10 families, The Age reports, adding that federal law prohibits payment for sperm, although the donor can receive reimbursement costs. Donors are also required to undergo counseling.
"The guiding principles of the act are that the welfare of persons born as a result of treatment is paramount, and they have a right to information about their genetic parents," Louise Johnson, chief executive of the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority tells The Age.
Just 184 registered sperm donors are left in the state, according to the newspaper, which means patients face up to a nine-month wait. Some people have resorted to flying North to Queensland to obtain sperm.
Victoria prohibits the import of sperm unless approval is granted by the state's Reproductive Treatment Authority, which only granted permission in three cases last year, The Age says. Queensland does not have such a stringent policy and routinely imports sperm from the United States.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-24-2011 @ 10:53PM
DIYBabies said...And yet 'FSDW' has over 450 registered Aussie sperm donors- all willing to donate without charge. Anonymous donations are not permitted- and most DO want information shared with the child- but not when 18- when they are young! So why are men no longer donating through clinics and are registering with FSDW? They can CHOOSE who to donate to through FSDW- and many are in touch with the parents and child- even playing a role. A win win for all- and something that cant be achieved through the clinics. So although children should know of their origins the fertility authorities cant offer them that until they are adults. Seems bizarre. And why numbers donating through clinics will dwindle- and numbers donating through FSDW will continue to rise. Why should donors be involved in the lives of the children they helped to create- playing an 'Donor Dad' role? Infact FSDW have actually launched a 'Donor Dad' support network- alongside the Children Deserve to Know Where They Come From campaign. The fertility authorities should take note- parenting is changing- and especially as we realise how important it is to put the child first. Knowing of their origins should be accessible from birth.
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