Attitudes among sperm donors in 1992 and 2002: a Danish questionnaire survey

Sweden prohibited anonymous sperm donation in 1985 and Norway in 2005. In recent years the question of continued use of sperm from anonymous sperm donors for insemination in couples and the question of insemination of single and lesbian women have been vividly debated in Denmark. This survey examines the sperm donors' attitude towards these questions and describes any changes in attitude between 1992 and 2002. The objective is to investigate the likely consequences of abolishing anonymous sperm donation in Denmark.

A questionnaire survey carried out among donors at a private Danish sperm bank, Cryos-International Sperm Bank Ltd. Over a period of 9 weeks in 2002 an anonymous questionnaire was handed out to all donors who were in contact with the sperm bank. The results were compared to a questionnaire survey carried out in 1992 at the same sperm bank.

In 2002, 25% (19% approved; 35% non-approved) of the donors stated that they would continue as donors if anonymity was abolished, whereas in 1992 the number was 32%. But when donors were asked whether they would accept that the children could contact them, only 22% agreed in 1992 and 13% (15% approved; 10% non-approved) in 2002. Altruistic as well as financial motives were the main factors for becoming a donor in both 1992 and 2002. Approximately 50% would accept sperm donation to lesbians in both surveys. In 2002 approximately one third was positive towards donation to single women.

Maintaining anonymity is still important for the vast majority of the donors.