In light of recent controversy over a ban on New Zealand gay men donating sperm, Fertility specialists are defending themselves with the revelation that it is the eligible sperm donors themselves who are anti-gay. Wellington's Fertility Associates, who were at the centre of media attention over the gay ban, have told the media that nearly half of eligible donors put restrictions on who can use the sperm. The men's refusal to allow single women and lesbians from using donated sperm is what exacerbates New Zealand's sperm shortage, not the gay ban, says a clinic spokesman. With around half of the donors at the Wellington clinic placing such restrictions on their sperm donations, 14 of the 23 women on the clinic's books are single and another three are in lesbian relationships. New Zealand and Australia currently refuse gay men donating sperm because of government restrictions which cite that gay men's sperm is more likely to carry HIV and other diseases. Debate arose last week over whether this policy is discriminatory, as many experts agree that a gay man who practices safe sex is a lower risk than straight man who does not. The Reproductive Technical Accreditation Committee will discuss the gay ban at a meeting next week.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Sunday, 29th January 2006 - 12:00pm