3 ms·
Off the top of my head, I can think of a couple: - Anonymity vs non-anonymity: does a child have a right to know who their biological parent is? Is it ethical
by chomp 7y ago
Off the top of my head, I can think of a couple:
- Anonymity vs non-anonymity: does a child have a right to know who their biological parent is? Is it ethical to donate, create offspring, and remain anonymous? Some family predispositions to certain health issues aren't fully understood (I didn't realize my family had a predisposition to dementia until just a couple years ago when my grandparents started nearing end of life), these genetic anomalies aren't always known at time of donation, and thus won't be handed over to the offspring. Another issue, some sperm banks send out cease and desists when the children attempt to track down the biological father. (Thanks 23andme!) Is it ethical for a sperm bank to threaten legal ramifications on people who attempt to contact their biological father?
- Age restrictions: We don't currently fully understand the effect of male age on creating children. Some studies suggest that there is a higher rate of autism, but this is only just now coming to light. Many sperm banks don't have much on age restrictions.
- Number of donor offspring: Is it ethical to allow numerous offspring from one sample? There are cases where a single male has fathered over 100 children, way way more than any normal male.
- Are sperm banks a form of eugenics? Sperm banks have differing policies on the acceptance of "Acceptable" sperm; e.g. certain height, low obesity propensity, college background, etc. If a sperm bank offers the top 1% genetic material, and people can pay to have elite genetic children, is this ethical?
- lyxsus1 7y agoLet me help you. > does a child have a right to know who their biological parent is? Not necessarily > Is it ethical to donate, create offspring, and remain anonymous? Yes > Some family predispositions to certain health issues aren't fully understood ... these genetic anomalies aren't always known at time of donation, and thus won't be handed over to the offspring Same thing with conservative methods, not relevant > Is it ethical for a sperm bank to threaten legal ramifications on people who attempt to contact their biological father? Yes > We don't currently fully understand the effect of male age on creating children. Again, not relevant > Is it ethical to allow numerous offspring from one sample? Yes > Are sperm banks a form of eugenics? Sometimes, yes > If a sperm bank offers the top 1% genetic material, and people can pay to have elite genetic children, is this ethical? Yes
- new2626 7y agoThis is not "help", but a flippant answer not addressing any of the interesting points brought up in the parent comment.
- lyxsus1 7y agoFlippant – yes, interesting points – really not. My problem is with grandparent comment. I don't get how it's permissible to discuss ethics of other peoples reproductive choices.