Finland faces persistent sperm donor shortage
The shortage is causing long treatment queues, with doctors suggesting the rise of at-home DNA testing may be making some potential donors think twice.
Finland is grappling with a persistent shortage of donor sperm, leading to extended waiting periods for patients. Tampere University Hospital (TAYS) claims that the rise in popularity of at-home DNA tests might be discouraging men from donating, as such tests could lead to their offspring identifying the donor before the child reaches 18.
Under Finland’s Fertility Treatment Act, a child conceived from donated sperm can discover the donor's identity upon turning 18. Publicized cases involving sperm donors and easy access to DNA testing may have influenced people's willingness to donate. Since 2007, anonymous gamete donation is prohibited in Finland, making all donors registered in a national database.
The DNA test issue could potentially compromise the anonymity of donors. TAYS advises both donors and recipients not to submit their genetic information to international DNA databases. The shortage is severe in the Oulu University Hospital area, where patients may face up to two years of waiting. TAYS currently uses domestically sourced donor sperm, and considering the shortage, using foreign donor sperm in the public healthcare system might become necessary.
Written by urgent.news from Yle News Finland's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
