Home Overview Press Room Blog Publications For Students about us
Search

Woman Sues FDA Over Right to Select Her Own Sperm Donor


by Meghan NealNew York Daily News
July 4th, 2012

A California woman is suing the federal government, arguing she should have the right to be artificially inseminated by a sperm donor of her choosing.

The anonymous woman is targeting the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates sperm banks to make sure donations are screened for sexually transmitted diseases.

The hopeful mother says the rules violate her constitutional right to start a family with whomever she wants, Fox News reported.

She and her lawyer, Amber Abbai, argue that it's unconstitutional to regulate "private, uncompensated" sperm donations.

Abbai told Fox News the woman and her female partner are trying to have a child but want the baby to know its biological father.

The woman is also concerned about the cost of going through a sperm bank, Abbai said.

Costs can run from $300-$800 per insemination, according to SpermCenter.com. Usually the cost is not covered by insurance.

One rogue donor has been helping couples skirt the fees and FDA regulations by donating sperm under the radar, at low or no cost.

The man, Trent Arsenault, 36, of California, is being investigated by the agency. He has reportedly made 328 semen donations to 46 couples, fathering at least 14 children.

"It is helping people in need," he told CBS San Francisco. "I don't make any money. I don't charge people anything. And it's just helping childless couples have children."



This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of biotechnology and public policy issues. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.


ESPAÑOL | PORTUGUÊS | Русский

home | overview | blog | publications| about us | donate | newsletter | press room | privacy policy

CGS • 1936 University Ave, Suite 350, Berkeley, CA 94704 • • (p) 1.510.665.7760 • (F) 1.510.665.8760