Human Reproduction, Vol. 18, No. 4, 669-671,
April 2003
© 2003 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
No reason for a reduction in the number of offspring per sperm donor because of possible transmission of autosomal dominant diseases
Hospital Rijnstate, Alysis zorggroep, Department of Clinical Chemistry/Semenbank, Postbus 9555, 6800 TA Arnhem, The Netherlands. e-mail: pjanssens{at}alysis.nl
A limit of 25 offspring per sperm donor has been imposed in The Netherlands since 1992, in order to prevent children from donors having a greater risk of consanguineous relationships than would occur in random individuals. An incident with a donor who developed a serious hereditary brain disease raised the question whether the limit of 25 should be reduced. Here I consider this suggestion from a genetic, psychological and legal standpoint. There appears to be no valid population genetics argument for limiting the number of donor offspring to below the figure that would prevent an increased chance of inbreeding. Reduction of the number of children per donor theoretically only results in transmission of greater diversity to donor offspring. Moreover, as within the general population, the total number of children conceived from sperm donors is negligible, the impact of donor offspring on the population genetics is anyhow insignificant. From a psychological standpoint, it should be noted that individuals making use of a donor, or their offspring, have no knowledge of other offspring conceived with their particular donor. This implies that the number of offspring per donor is of no relevance to them (provided of course there is an acceptably low chance of inbreeding). The new Dutch law on disclosure of donor identity to donor-insemination children, also produces no compelling reasons for a general reduction in the number of offspring per donor. Reduction desired by individual donors can be obtained by means of mutual agreements between sperm banks and donors. In conclusion neither the possible transmission of late-onset autosomal dominant diseases, nor other considerations necessitate a reduction in the offspring limit calculated to prevent increased risks of inbreeding among donor offspring.
Key words: consanguinity/genetic disorders/offspring/sperm donor/The Netherlands
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