The decision to become a sperm donor is a major decision
that needs to be thoroughly thought out beforehand. While there are many factors to consider
before making your decision, the most important factor to consider is that of
your confidentiality and anonymity. You should know and understand what to
expect from a donation clinic as far as your confidentiality and your rights as
a donor are concerned. While your rights
will differ depending upon what type of donor you will choose to be, they are
nonetheless important.
You should take an adequate amount of time to educate
yourself regarding the donation clinic’s confidentiality and anonymity contract
before making such an important decision.
You need to insure that you are choosing the clinic that best meets your
needs. All donation centers must have a
confidentiality agreement that protects your rights as a donor, and knowing
those rights beforehand can make a world of difference before signing a
contract. This article will discuss what
to expect from a donation center regarding your confidentiality and anonymity
as a donor.
While there are two ways to donate your sperm, anonymously
and not anonymously, this article will focus on anonymous donors only. When donating anonymously, you should expect
just that; that your sperm donation will be made entirely and completely
anonymously with no chance of your name ever being released to the recipient or
the child at any point. Most clinics
should assign you a specific donor number that you will be referred to
throughout the donation process, and any other time you decide to donate. This number will then be included on all of
your paperwork in the place of your name, thus again further protecting your
anonymity.
It is always important that you read any contract that you
are given in full detail before signing your name. If you have any questions regarding the
contract and your rights as a donor, it is vital that you have your questions
and concerns addressed before signing the contract. If you are choosing to donate anonymously,
then you most likely have concerns about meeting a child later on, and you want
to be sure to agree to that fully in the contract.
Another thing to check on at the donation center is whether
or not the center has what is called an “openness agreement.” An openness agreement is an agreement you
sign that states that if a child born from your donation wishes to contact you,
you can be contacted by the clinic and asked if you would like to meet the
child. Even if you agree to sign this
agreement in case you change your mind about anonymity later on, the agreement
should state that your name and information will not be given out without your
consent and without the phone call from the clinic beforehand.
Again, it is important to do your research on the clinic you
wish to use in order to insure your anonymity, although most clinics that are
accredited follow confidentiality contracts fully.
About the Author
Michelle Patterson is a nurse with several years’ experience
in a sperm clinic. She suggests looking
into the information provided by California
Cryobank
regarding sperm donor anonymity before making the decision to become a sperm
donor.
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