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| Call to raise sperm donor limit | Call to raise sperm donor limit |
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| The limit on the number of pregnancies that can be created from the sperm of a single donor should be raised, fertility experts suggest. | The limit on the number of pregnancies that can be created from the sperm of a single donor should be raised, fertility experts suggest. |
| Dr Mark Hamilton and Dr Allan Pacey, of the British Fertility Society (BFS), said the UK was struggling with a serious shortage of sperm donors. | Dr Mark Hamilton and Dr Allan Pacey, of the British Fertility Society (BFS), said the UK was struggling with a serious shortage of sperm donors. |
| Writing in the British Medical Journal, they said radical reform of the current system was needed. | Writing in the British Medical Journal, they said radical reform of the current system was needed. |
| They blamed removal of donor anonymity in 2005 for the donor shortage. | They blamed removal of donor anonymity in 2005 for the donor shortage. |
| Children can now trace their biological parents when they are 18. | Children can now trace their biological parents when they are 18. |
| Overall, the number of sperm donors has fallen by 40% in 15 years. | Overall, the number of sperm donors has fallen by 40% in 15 years. |
| Pregnancy limit | Pregnancy limit |
| The experts warned that many fertility clinics have long waiting lists, or have been forced to stop providing services altogether. | The experts warned that many fertility clinics have long waiting lists, or have been forced to stop providing services altogether. |
| The current shortage means that many of those seeking donor insemination treatment are going to clinics overseas Walter MerricksDonor Conception Network | The current shortage means that many of those seeking donor insemination treatment are going to clinics overseas Walter MerricksDonor Conception Network |
| At present around 4,000 UK patients request donor sperm each year. | At present around 4,000 UK patients request donor sperm each year. |
| Under UK regulations, the maximum number of families that can use sperm from the same donor is 10. | |
| This is to reduce the risk that children born from sperm donated by the same man will have children together in later life. | This is to reduce the risk that children born from sperm donated by the same man will have children together in later life. |
| Therefore, assuming not all donors would consent to their sperm being used in 10 pregnancies, a minimum of 500 new donors are needed every year to meet demand. | Therefore, assuming not all donors would consent to their sperm being used in 10 pregnancies, a minimum of 500 new donors are needed every year to meet demand. |
| But in 2006 there were only 307 new registrations. | But in 2006 there were only 307 new registrations. |
| Dr Hamilton and Dr Pacey argue that the current limit is arbitrary and not evidence based - and a more flexible approach is needed. | Dr Hamilton and Dr Pacey argue that the current limit is arbitrary and not evidence based - and a more flexible approach is needed. |
| They point out that the size of the UK population is enough for a large safety margin to already exist. | They point out that the size of the UK population is enough for a large safety margin to already exist. |
| In the Netherlands, which has a smaller population than the UK, the upper limit is 25 offspring per donor, while in France it is five. | In the Netherlands, which has a smaller population than the UK, the upper limit is 25 offspring per donor, while in France it is five. |
| The BFS doctors are also touting a possible reorganisation of recruitment services, with donors handled by large regional centres, while smaller local centres deal with recipients. | The BFS doctors are also touting a possible reorganisation of recruitment services, with donors handled by large regional centres, while smaller local centres deal with recipients. |
| Currently, up to 35% of potential donors are lost after their first enquiry and never assessed. | Currently, up to 35% of potential donors are lost after their first enquiry and never assessed. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| The Dr Hamilton and Dr Pacey said it was vital to try to reduce this number by making services more accessible and efficient. | The Dr Hamilton and Dr Pacey said it was vital to try to reduce this number by making services more accessible and efficient. |
| One possibility would be to set up sperm sharing schemes in which fertile men could donate sperm to partly fund IVF for their partners. | One possibility would be to set up sperm sharing schemes in which fertile men could donate sperm to partly fund IVF for their partners. |
| Dr Pacey, who is based at the University of Sheffield, said: "Many clinics have really struggled over the past few years to recruit enough donors to treat their patients and this has caused a lot of anguish amongst both patients and professionals alike." | Dr Pacey, who is based at the University of Sheffield, said: "Many clinics have really struggled over the past few years to recruit enough donors to treat their patients and this has caused a lot of anguish amongst both patients and professionals alike." |
| However, the doctors said safety concerns ruled out raising the age limit of sperm donors from the present 40 years, or lowering the acceptable levels of semen quality. | However, the doctors said safety concerns ruled out raising the age limit of sperm donors from the present 40 years, or lowering the acceptable levels of semen quality. |
| Walter Merricks, of the Donor Conception Network agreed that reform was needed. | Walter Merricks, of the Donor Conception Network agreed that reform was needed. |
| He said: "The current shortage means that many of those seeking donor insemination treatment are going to clinics overseas. | He said: "The current shortage means that many of those seeking donor insemination treatment are going to clinics overseas. |
| "The vast majority of our members would far prefer to be treated locally with a UK donor under the protections afforded by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)regulation." | "The vast majority of our members would far prefer to be treated locally with a UK donor under the protections afforded by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA)regulation." |
| A Department of Health spokesperson said it would consider the BFS recommendations carefully. | A Department of Health spokesperson said it would consider the BFS recommendations carefully. |
| The spokesperson denied the removal of anonymity had led to a drop in donor numbers, but agreed that more were needed. | The spokesperson denied the removal of anonymity had led to a drop in donor numbers, but agreed that more were needed. |
| An HFEA spokesperson said the limit on use of donor sperm was under review. | An HFEA spokesperson said the limit on use of donor sperm was under review. |
| Are you a sperm donor? Have you used donor sperm to have a child? Do you agree with the current pregnancy limit? | Are you a sperm donor? Have you used donor sperm to have a child? Do you agree with the current pregnancy limit? |
| Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124. | Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |