Should sperm donors be paid? A survey of the attitudes of the general public

Abstract

Gamete donation in assisted reproduction is an accepted treatment option for certain infertile couples. Traditionally, men donating spermatozoa have been paid a nominal fee, whilst women donating oocytes have not. The issue of payment for sperm donors has recently attracted attention following the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's (HFEA) suggestion that such payment may be withdrawn. Prior to the final meeting of the HFEA working party which is examining this issue, here we report the results of a survey designed to solicit opinion on whether sperm donors should be paid, to identify social or other factors which influence this opinion, and to examine the influence of financial incentive on potential donors. We surveyed 717 individuals in three distinct groups: the general public, students (potential donors), and infertility patients (potential recipients). The majority of the potential donor group (students) was in favour of paying sperm donors, as were infertility patients. In contrast the general public was not. The opinion of the general public on this issue was influenced by their prior knowledge of whether donors were paid: those of the general public favouring the payment of sperm donors had a prior awareness that such payments were made. Although not in favour of paying sperm donors, the general public overwhelmingly approved of the use of donated spermatozoa for the treatment of infertile couples, and thought that ways should be sought to increase the availability of donor spermatozoa for the treatment of infertility and for research purposes. Within the potential donor group (students), the majority indicated that financial reward was an important factor which would influence their decision to donate spermatozoa. As the majority of both the potential recipients and potential donors feels that sperm donors should be paid, perhaps the views of these groups should carry significant weight when the decision whether or not to withdraw payment is taken. This is especially the case in view of the fact that the majority of the general public is in favour of the use of donated spermatozoa for the treatment of infertile couples.

Non-donors’ attitudes towards sperm donation and their willingness to donate

“…Unpublished research commissioned by the Department of Health in the UK [11] in 2004 (total sample n = 301, aged between 18 and 54) indicated that 10% would definitely consider donating sperm in order to help infertile couples, 35% may consider this, 22% would not consider this and 28% would under no circumstances consider doing this. Another study found that 42% of the general public and 60% of the students would donate sperm [12]. The Canadian survey among 3500 persons found that 26% would be very or somewhat likely to donate sperm [13].…”

To give or sell human gametes - the interplay between pragmatics, policy and ethics

“…24 Their respondents fell into three groups, the general public, students (potential donors) and infertile patients (potential recipients). The majority of the public were not in favour of payment (58% No, 38% Yes), potential donors were 67% in favour, 29% against, and potential recipients were 52% in favour, 43% against.…”

Recipients' views on payment of sperm donors

“…The motivations and experiences of (potential) sperm donors (Cook and Golombok, 1995;Lui et al, 1995), the views of the fertility centres (Golombok and Cook, 1994) and of the general public (Lyall et al, 1998;Nuffield Council on Bioethics, 2011) have been investigated, but only a few studies have examined (candidate) recipients' attitudes towards payment. Lyall et al (1998) questioned potential donors (students), recipients (infertility patients) and the general public. They found that, although most of the general public preferred donors not to be paid (58%), 52% of the potential recipients were in favour.…”