Artificial Insemination by Donor: a Survey of Attitudes and Knowledge in Medical Students and Infertile Couples

Abstract

Medical students and members of infertile couples were questioned about their knowledge and attitudes toward artificial insemination using donor semen (AID). While both groups were wellinformed about AID, considerable attitudinal diversity existed. Subjects generally favoured AID for infertile couples, for single women and for situations where the risk of inheritable retardation or genetic disease existed. Members of infertile couples were more positive about AID than were medical students, and females were more positive than males. The results indicate continued controversy regarding several aspects of AID such as whether to permit AID recipients to select their own donor and whether children conceived through AID should be so informed. The implications for infertility counselling are discussed.