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Genetic mutation exposes risks of global sperm donation industry
A recent investigation revealed a sperm donor unknowingly passed a cancer-linked genetic mutation to at least 197 children across 14 countries, highlighting the unregulated scale of the fertility market. The case has sparked calls for stricter oversight as demand for donor sperm surges.
How sperm donation became a multi-billion-dollar industry
Sperm donation enables single women, same-sex couples, and those with infertile partners to conceive, fueling a booming global market. Europe's sector alone is projected to exceed £2 billion by 2033, with Denmark emerging as a leading exporter of donor sperm.
Yet the industry relies on a tiny fraction of men-fewer than 5% of volunteers meet rigorous criteria. Donors must pass tests for sperm count, motility, and morphology, as well as screenings for infections and genetic disorders. Even fertile men with children may fail these standards.
Why some donors father hundreds of children
Biological realities amplify the reach of a single donor. Each ejaculation contains tens of millions of sperm, and men may donate weekly for months. With demand outstripping supply, sperm banks maximize usage of available donors, turning sperm into a "precious commodity," according to Sarah Norcross of the Progress Educational Trust.
Popularity further skews outcomes. Donors are selected based on profiles listing traits like height, profession, and even voice recordings-mirroring dating app dynamics. "Viking sperm" from Denmark, prized for blonde hair and blue eyes, dominates exports. Cryos International founder Ole Schou attributes this to cultural openness and recessive genetic traits that may not dominate in offspring.
"You know if they're called Sven and they've got blonde hair, and they're 6 ft 4 and an athlete, that's far more attractive than a donor that looks like me,"
Prof Allan Pacey, male fertility expert
Regulatory gaps enable cross-border donor proliferation
Rules vary widely by country, with limits often tied to the number of children or families per donor. However, these restrictions apply only within national borders. A donor's sperm can legally be used in multiple countries, enabling hundreds of offspring without the donor's knowledge.
The case of the cancer-linked mutation prompted Belgian officials to demand an EU-wide donor registry to track cross-border sperm use. Deputy Prime Minister Frank Vandenbroucke criticized the industry as the "Wild West," where commercial interests overshadow its original mission of helping families.
Ethical dilemmas and calls for reform
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology proposed capping donor use at 50 families per donor across the EU-still allowing over 100 children if families opt for multiple births. Critics argue such limits are insufficient, citing risks like accidental incest among half-siblings and emotional distress for donor-conceived children discovering their origins.
DNA testing and social media have intensified these concerns, enabling connections between donors, offspring, and siblings. While the UK ended donor anonymity, many countries lack such protections. Cryos' Schou warned stricter rules could push families toward unregulated markets.
"The implications are a vast ethical minefield-identity, privacy, consent, dignity. It's a balancing act between competing needs."
Dr John Appleby, medical ethicist at Lancaster University
What's next for the fertility industry?
Experts agree the industry must address donor proliferation, but global regulations face legal and ethical hurdles. A proposed international registry, while potentially beneficial, raises privacy concerns. Meanwhile, demand continues to rise, particularly among single, career-focused women in their 30s-now 60% of Cryos' clients.
