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The ethical case for non-directed postmortem sperm donation.

Nathan Hodson1, Joshua Parker2

  • 1College of Life Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom n.hodson@doctors.org.uk.

Journal of Medical Ethics
|January 22, 2020
PubMed
Summary
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Postmortem sperm donation offers a solution to donor sperm shortages, increasing options for individuals and couples. This ethically permissible practice allows deceased men to donate sperm, addressing fertility challenges and parental preferences.

Area of Science:

  • Bioethics
  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Sperm Donation

Background:

  • The UK faces a significant shortage of donor sperm.
  • Limited donor sperm availability restricts options for fertility treatment.
  • Existing donor pools may not meet diverse parental preferences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose and defend voluntary non-directed postmortem sperm donation.
  • To assess the ethical permissibility of using sperm from deceased donors.
  • To explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of this donation model.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis and ethical argumentation.
  • Review of technical feasibility for postmortem sperm retrieval.
  • Exploration of stakeholder perspectives.
Keywords:
artificial insemination and surrogacycryobanking of sperm, ova or embryosdonation/procurement of organs/tissuesin vitro fertilization and embryo transferreproductive medicine

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Main Results:

  • Postmortem sperm donation is technically feasible.
  • Ethical arguments support the permissibility of postmortem donation.
  • This approach can increase donor sperm quantity and heterogeneity.
  • It addresses the suffering caused by donor sperm unavailability.
  • It allows for the fulfillment of parental preferences for donor characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • Voluntary non-directed postmortem sperm donation is a viable and ethically justifiable option.
  • It offers a practical solution to donor sperm shortages.
  • The practice can enhance reproductive choices and parental well-being.