A recent investigation by The Guardian's science correspondent, James Randerson, has revealed that online sperm delivery companies may be operating illegally, and putting women who are using their services at risk.
The online companies provide donated sperm for single women or lesbian couples who want to try to get pregnant. They offer to deliver fresh sperm samples from anonymous donors to your door by courier within a couple of hours of being produced. However, this means that the sperm is unlikely to have been thoroughly screened for HIV.
In properly regulated clinics, a sperm sample is taken and frozen for sixth months, during which time the donor is tested twice for HIV, as it can take that long for the virus to show up in tests. The sperm delivery company used by The Guardian tells potential donors they can give their first sample just days after being tested for sexually transmitted infections.
The Guardian has passed details of the investigation to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, but the story highlights the dangers of buying sperm online. See more details here.
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