Free Sperm Donations Worldwide- News Pages
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Current Main Contributors/ Authors:
'The Child Listener' - Emma Hartnell-Baker
Tom S, Jodi S and Harry P also submit current articles and comments about fertility and sperm donatoin related issues however prefer to remain anonymous due to this sensitive and controversial topic
Also review news relating to sperm donation here and here
Parents of Donor Conceived Children in the News
Do I Tell My Donor Conceived Child He Was Conceived Using Donor Sperm? - by Emma Hartnell-Baker
Also view
http://mydonordad.blogspot.com/2011/02/telling-donor-conceived-children-about.html
Response to a Craig's List Posting:
http://brisbane.craigslist.com.au/cas/2298264820.html
Hey, Its impossible for me to get my miss's pregnant. Medical test's done and everything.. My miss's and i want to sperm donor, Must be fit , Clean, In return she will do anything for a whole month to get up the duff.. You will never be part of the kids life.. No names will be exchanged .. Lets us know
.
Location: South Brisbane
Read Comments
Anonymous Sperm Donations in the News
Anonymous sperm donations were abolished within the UK in 2005 - and Australia is looking to follow suit. Within the news recently several articles outline how past sperm donors may feel about this- and how it may affect them in the future- and other give their opinions on what will happen if anonymous donations are abolished throughout Australia.
Sperm Donors Worried Over Identity Law Change
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/sperm-donors-worried-over-identity-law-change-20110321-1c3wp.html
March 2011
Legal Loophole Could Identify Sperm Donors
http://www.smh.com.au/national/legal-loophole-could-identify-sperm-donors-20110320-1c2cq.html
Read Comments
Sperm Donor Conceived Children in the News
Are Donor Conceived Children Affected as Much as We Would Pressume, When They Don't Know Their 'Bio-Dad'?
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/true-fatherhood-is-not-about-biology-20110321-1c3px.html
Read Comments by Tom S
A Positive Approach- Putting Children First - Why Banning Anonymous Sperm Donations May Not Be Such a Bad Thing
Comments Here Shortly
A New Trend in Sperm Donations - Turning Backs on Anonimity
We are now realising how important it is that children can at least have the opportunity to know where they come from- as we hear of the sadness and sense of loss- or incomplete 'identity' when finding out they were adopted, or born through egg or sperm donation, or surrogacy. Some children (now adults) born through anonymous sperm donation for example are now speaking out of their experiences- some good- some not so good- but the majority speak of wanting to at least know their biological origins. Anonymous sperm donation is being abolished in many countries, as the child's needs and rights are being more carefully considered.
Read Comments
As the DIY Baby Market Flourishes 'Free Sperm Donations Worldwide' web site is attacked by authorities- article
Press stories released within the UK, Canada and Australia claim that health authorities are launching investigations into the legality of websites such as 'Free Sperm Donations Worldwide' who offer a range of connections services, putting single women, lesbian and infertile and couples in touch with sperm donors. Most of these websites simply provide a facility for women and couples to make contact with potential donors and the individuals make their own arrangements.
There are two main concerns stated. Firstly, that these websites are unregulated and there is no official way of screening the donors for sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. And, secondly, that the laws do not fully recognise private sperm donation arrangements - meaning that the donor may be putting himself at risk of being sued for child maintenance, and the parents can find themselves sharing custody of a child who was intended to be raised by themselves alone.
The authorities tend to focus on the health risks- with web site owners such as Emma Hartnell-Baker- owner of FSDW facing sensationalist headlines such as 'Illegal Trade in Babies'. (Sunday Telegraph, Jan 1 2011) In fact there is nothing illegal about connecting people- nor is there a trade in babies taking place. In simple terms all these websites do is provide the modern equivalent of a singles bar, but with the added benefit that all involved are well aware from the beginning of what each party really wants.
There is a somewhat patronising suggestion within these articles that hormone driven women are so desperate to have babies that they cannot be trusted to make decisions, and are being taken advantage of by 'sex pests' or, financially, by these web site owners. As the 'Illegal Trade in Babies' article outlines, most will actually pay less on their monthly subscriptions to build their family, than they do on coffee each month. It is the fertility clinics who are able to charge these women and couples high prices for the opportunity to fulfil their dream of being a parent. The price they pay is that they do not get to meet the donor, or negotiate terms that will enable the child to know of his identity until the age of 18. A price many are now choosing to decline.
The truth is that if a woman wants to get pregnant, she can. It's been going on since the beginning of time. Surely it's better that they are able to make an informed choice about the biological father of their child and request a medical examination on their terms, and decide beforehand the terms of the arrangement post conception? How many married couples have ever tested their own partner or absteined from sex for the six months in order to ensure 100% safety?This approach - of private HIV and STD testing- and of making decisions in which all parties are in agreement- seems to be something that should be congratulated rather than condemned.
Emma Hartnell-Baker speaks highly of her members and also donors. 'The site has been running for over seven years now, with no legal or health issues- and this is, I feel, because of the quality of people using the site. They are people who have thought long and hard about this- and do what they can to protect themselves and to reduce the risks- and at the same time consider the best interest of the child. They are looking for a well moderated secure members only area, along with support and professional advice. '
And therein lies the main issue Ms Hartnell-Baker speaks of, when attacked by the press. 'I created this web site not only to help non traditional groups become parents through AI, but also as I was increasingly concerned about the rights and needs of donor conceived children within the current system. By focusing on the safety of sperm and undermining my credibility they can attempt to avoid these issues, however I am adamant in my belief that children deserve to know where they come from. This means advising people against using fertility clinics - other than to simply test sperm- at this time.'
Ms Hartnell-Baker has recently launched the 'Children Deserve to Know Where They Come From Campaign' and is working with members of the medical community to develop options for donors to inexpensively get their sperm tested, frozen and quarantined, with the option to then released it to a specific person for home self-insemination. She also speaks of changing the laws relating to private sperm donation, so that a donor can be released from any future parental roles or responsiblities (as with adoption) and also that parenting and donor agreement contracts be recognised.
As the world is changing an the traditional family a somewhat redundant terms, it seem that the wider issues relating to private sperm donation - many of them seemingly very positive for all involved- need to be discussed.
http://www.ChildrenDeservetoKnow,
http://www.Free-Sperm-Donations.com
Please do send Emma an email with your questions and comments!
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