Semen donors: Their motivations and attitudes to their offspring

Abstract

The results of a study of semen donors in an Australian donor insemination programme are reported. Altruism - a desire to help infertile couples - was the major motivation for becoming a semen donor, although a desire to evaluate fertility, and financial considerations were also cited. The desire to evaluate fertility, along with the biographical characteristics - median age of 34.5, mainly professional and technical occupations, over half single and with no children of their own - contributes to donors' attitudes towards the offspring created as a result of their donation. Almost all donors were interested in knowing the outcome of their donation and almost all said that they thought about their offspring. Donors were happy to provide non-identifying information and 86 per cent were happy to provide identifying information. Almost half of this group, however, wished to add caveats. Seventy-three per cent of the donors said they would still be prepared to donate should it be possible for the children, when 18, to trace their identity. Such findings are in sharp contrast to some of the commonly held views of doctors concerning the importance of anonymity and secrecy. It is suggested that, at least for this group of donors, a psychological bond operates and that this bond is of some importance.