Donating sperm

[bing bing]

I’m considering donating sperm and was wondering if there are any of you out there that already have and also, if you have any words you’d like to share. Thanks.

Also, is this the most suitable forum for such a thread?

[stonegrody]

I read an ad looking for donors. Here are the requirements they look for:

* between the ages of 21 and 35

* able to make weekly visits to our San Francisco office

* able to make one year commitment

* able to provide general information about your biological family's medical history

* in excellent health, and not at risk for any sexually transmitted diseases

* college degree preferred

Any idea why they prefer a college degree? I wonder if that is more appealing to potential clients?

[maleficent]

If you donated sperm, wouldn't it be weird not knowing if you had a child out there somewhere, that is biolgically yours. What about some day down the road, you have a child of your own, and that child dates... what are the odds that that date could also be your biological child. (the things I think about are frrightening)

[Charlatan]

I did all the tests and examinations for donating sperm but chose not to donate when my wife freaked out. She didn't want me to donate.

The interview consisted of questions of family history (physical and mental health), questions about why I wanted to donate and questions of personal history.

The physical was a series of blood and semen tests as well as a check up and a swab of my ureathra (pain).

They were going to pay me something like $50 for each donation. I figured I could make an extra $200 a month (you have to go 4 days between ejaculations before a sample will be potent enough for their needs).

When the lab called about the results of my tests, my wife took the message and asked what I was up to... she had some series objections (mostly around other women having my babies and my offspring being "out there"). I didn't agree with her objections but saw no need to cause strife so I backed out of the program.

[Rlyss]

Charlatan - so you started the tests and did the preliminary paperwork before telling your wife? That's interesting. Some people might see it as a sexual thing behind their partners' backs, (the 'out there' part), others might just see it as trying to help science and people who can't have kids of their own.

I guess in my case I would much rather be a great father to my kids, not be an anonymous donor. Also, I suppose if the world was in some sort of crisis, where sperm was needed for real reasons rather than designer babies or something, then I would. At the moment I don't feel it's on the same level as donating blood.

[Tracybrian]

50 bucks a pop every 4 days. I think it would be great. I know you cant know who the kids are but it would be cool if you knew how many kids you fathered. You could be like yea I have 400 kids around the world. How is that for reproduction.

[bing bing]

Originally Posted by maleficent

If you donated sperm, wouldn't it be weird not knowing if you had a child out there somewhere, that is biolgically yours. What about some day down the road, you have a child of your own, and that child dates... what are the odds that that date could also be your biological child. (the things I think about are frrightening)

That's an interesting point you raise and certainly one of validity. However, i remember learning in my intro to psychology class that there's actual innate protection against such occurrences. That is, through pheromones, we're able to detect strong genetic similarity subconsciously after which some sort of innate mechanism kicks in to nullify the attraction. However, I’m sure this isn’t true for all individuals.

[bing bing]

Originally Posted by stonegrody

* college degree preferred

Any idea why they prefer a college degree? I wonder if that is more appealing to potential clients?

If a college degree has some sort of correlate with a higher intelligence quotient score, which I suspect, then that’s definitely a possibility. After all, intelligence is 40 to 50% heritable and I can imagine that above average intelligence in their child would generally be sought after by parents.

[Charlatan]

Originally Posted by Rlyss

Charlatan - so you started the tests and did the preliminary paperwork before telling your wife? That's interesting. Some people might see it as a sexual thing behind their partners' backs, (the 'out there' part), others might just see it as trying to help science and people who can't have kids of their own.

My reasoning for doing it at the time was a little bit of the latter (i.e. science and helping people) and a little bit of making some money to pay down my student loans.

There was nothing sexual about it.

My wife's issues revolved around anonymous children and the idea that they might seek me out in the future... I suppose she just wanted my seed for herself (while I wanted to spread my seed to the wind...)

[Hardknock]

I couldn't do it personally. I just don't want to live like knowing that I have a kid out there somewhere. No way could I do that just for a few bucks.

But that's just me.

[C4 Diesel]

BIG THING TO THINK ABOUT!!!

In some states, if you are a sperm donor, the child, once 18, is notified that his/her familial father is not her biological father and has the right to be given the identity of his/her biological father.