Donor Eggs and Sperm: What are the legal and ethical complications?
It is becoming increasingly common for Irish parents to travel to Spain and other countries for IVF conception using either donor eggs or sperm. Today’s (Monday 21st of November) issue of the Irish Times examines the legal and ethical dilemmas surrounding the use of sperm and egg material.
The Irish Times reports that there were about 500 pregnancies in Ireland last year as a result of donor material. Clinics in Ireland have reported an increase of 135 percent in the demand for donor eggs within the last two years. The article reports that a large number of Irish parents are travelling abroad to donor clinics, with Spain being one of the most popular destinations. The lack of regulations governing donating eggs and sperm in Ireland means that there is a major shortage of donor material here. People are unwilling to donate as there is a significant risk that their right to anonymity could be revoked in the near future.
In Spain, there is no shortage of donors willing to supply sperm and eggs. The identity of the donor is strictly protected by law. The Instituto Marques in Barcelona has become increasingly popular with Irish couples who travel abroad for fertility treatments. The clinic reported that 150 Irish patients attended the clinic in 2010. Parents at the clinic can choose from hundreds of sperm or egg donors based on their height, eye colour, ethnicity, hair colour and build. The clinic also offers genetic screening of embryos which can help couples who have recurrent miscarriages or who are predisposed to a known genetic abnormality. One cannot help but wonder if screening can be used to help eliminate certain genetic traits then could this screening not be used to help cultivate the designer baby who is top of the class, excels at sport, and has hair, eyes, and other features their parents find desirable? The idea of the designer baby is an ethical minefield but it can also be argued that if a treatment for genetic disorders exists is it immoral not to use them?
Donor anonymity currently exists in Ireland but it is likely that this will change. In 2005, the UK outlawed donor anonymity and in Ireland there are proposed regulations drawn up which recommend that children born with donated sperm or eggs should have the right to contact the donor. The removal of donor anonymity does not however eliminate the issue entirely as it is likely that many parents would still continue to travel abroad to countries like Spain where donor anonymity is still in place. In the UK the loss of donor anonymity has led to a dramatic decline in the number of egg and sperm donors which has resulted in an increased number of people travelling to clinics abroad.
The use of donor material evokes so many issues and concerns which are as of yet largely unexplored. The legal and moral issues surrounding genetically screening embryos, donor anonymity and the right of the child to know their biological parents are issues that demand thorough deliberation. While there is no doubt that these children are likely to be the most cherished of babies should there not be stricter legislation surrounding donor material?
