The decision to help another person to get a child through donation of a sperm, whether related or unrelated, is indeed a complex lifelong decision (ASRM, 2012). However, I would be willing to give a directed donation to my female colleague so that she can fulfill her desire to be a mother.
There are a number of factors that I would have to influence my decision to be altruistic with my sperm to my female work colleague. These factors include the potential lifelong psychological, health, as well as legal issues. All these will be need to be deliberated upon before making my sperm donation.
Accepting to be a sperm donor effectively translates that I would be accepting to go through a host of medical tests to ascertain my suitability and the soundness of my health. Screenings would have to be run on me to establish that I fall in the acceptable age bracket for a donor. Also, several samples of my semen would have to be retrieved and tested for quantity, quality, as well as sperm movement. Consent also means that my medical history would come under thorough scrutiny besides being required to provide medical history of two preceding generations of my family (ASRM,2012).
From the legal point of view, there would be need to thoroughly go through the legal issues with my colleague. It would be necessary to seek the services of a lawyer to prepare a legal contract that makes clear my parental rights and financial obligations. I would prefer a subtle role in the life of the child, which may be in the form of visitations, and spending quality time.
It is also within my understanding that I would need to be psychologically prepared prior to going through with the donation. This means that I would need to consult a mental health provider regarding both the psychological and emotional issue related to sperm donation. Given that I am donating to someone am well versed with (a directed donation), my relationship with her will have to be discussed. A detailed sexual history, personal habits, hobbies and interests will also have come out in the limelight, something I am prepared to do. In addition, I would have to confirm whether I am comfortable with my personal information being gathered and shared and with my biological child as well as on prospects of future contact with him/her. On this, I would be allow my details to given to the child as well as having frequent contacts. Currently, I am father to a four-year old son from my former girlfriend. In consultation with their respective mothers, I would be keen to ensure that all of my kids get to know of each other in time.
Comparatively, the decision to be a semen donor following a request from my barren brother would be easier. This is because intragenerational sperm donation between first-degree family members is less ethically contentious as compared to donating to unrelated individuals. The greatest reason for my accepting to donate would be the need to preserve our family genetic heritage together with kinship which would be compromised if unrelated or anonymous donor were sought (ASRM, 2012). My infertile brother would relate better with the resulting child because of the genetic closeness. This sought of arrangement would also lead to additional progeny to our kindred, and our children will identify with other.
Reference:
American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2012). Using family members as gamete
donors or surrogates. Retrieved from: http://www.asrm.org/uploadedFiles/ASRM_Content/News_and_Publications/Ethics_Committee_Reports_and_Statements/family_members.pdf
