MPs Call for changes
Doug Naysmith, MP for Bristol North-West, was alarmed to hear from Consultants at the local Fertility Unit that following a change in regulations, the number of men coming forward to give sperm has decreased dramatically – indeed to such an extent that some women who need to receive donated sperm are taking cheap flights to Europe where regulations are different.
The problem stems from a change in the regulations which allows children born as a result of donated sperm to know about their birth parents. Sperm donors can potentially father children for up to 10 donor-recipient families each, perhaps 20 – 30 children, and some are obviously very worried at the prospect of such children contacting them in 18 years time. Previously, sperm donors’ anonymity was always protected. Since the change, many fewer people are coming forward to help desperate couples have the babies they so much desire.
Doug Naysmith said “I am very concerned about this state of affairs. Fertility services in many parts of the country rely upon donated sperm, and I am sure that nobody intended this result when the regulations changed. I understand the need for children to be able to trace their birth parents, but I also understand the reluctance of sperm donors to find themselves in an invidious position at some time in the future”.
Doug Naysmith and his local fellow MP Steve Webb have called a meeting for interested MPs at the House of Commons on Wednesday 25th April. Mr J Wardle, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and Dr Barbara Skew, Associate Specialist both from Southmead Hospital, Bristol together with Professor Richard Fleming, Scientific Director of a Fertility Unit in Glasgow, Dr Gillian Lockwood Director of the Midland Fertility Service, and Dr Allan Pacey Hon Secretary of the British Fertility Society will give a short presentation and then will discuss what MPs can do to improve things.
Doug went on to say, “I really hope that we find a solution to this problem. It is vital that we find a way forward so that we can increase the supply of donated sperm”.
Mr Wardle said “The legislation removing donor anonymity has had a dramatic adverse effect on the availability of donor sperm for fertility treatments. The message from this change in the law is clear, ‘unless we can identify your father, you are better off not being born’. We would like to see the law amended to allow sperm donors the choice of remaining anonymous if they wish. We appreciate the support we are getting from our MPs to try to resolve this problem”.
