However, the total anonymity of sperm donors would be unconstitutional, this is in any case what emerged from a judgment of the Constitutional Court handed down a few months ago. As a result, Belgium has until June 30, 2027 to modify this specificity. A bill has also been tabled by a bioethics commission and recommends lifting the obligation of anonymity, which would allow the child of a sperm donor to find his name.
A booming black “market”
Faced with this growing shortage, illegal donations as well as online donations are increasing and are not without danger. On social networks, it only takes a few clicks to notice that offers are commonplace and can sometimes reach up to 1000 euros with necessarily shorter waiting times.
“Online sperm donations are becoming more and more frequent, in England it is becoming routine and here, it has been increasing sharply recently, it is becoming a bit of a jungle with the development of a parallel black marketunderlines Professor Tournaye. Some donors sometimes solicit sex in exchange for their donation, and patients have reported feelings of violation and profound psychological discomfort after these experiences. Some donors also ask for custody rights or control over the child, which completely compromises anonymity and can be dangerous for the woman, the donor, and the couple concerned. This raises questions and problems regarding filiation because at any time, recognition of paternity can be requested.”.
Brown with brown eyes? Your sperm is highly sought after!
The risks are also health because the health of the donor cannot be guaranteed, we are thinking in particular of exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, and more generally, these parallel pathways involve a very large number of risks.
Six months ago, it was on Facebook that Claire (not her real name) started looking for a parent to more quickly achieve her desire to become a single mother.
“Faced with very high waiting times in specialized centers, I decided to explore this more artisanal and surely faster route.confides this young 32-year-old from Brussels. I started joining Facebook groups dedicated to sperm donation and very quickly received private messages. I then made contact with a man who seemed serious except that once we started talking, he very quickly made me understand that he preferred to do it naturally, he even showed aggression to get my address. He told me that he would eventually find me, that I wouldn’t be able to turn back, etc. It was quite a traumatic experience that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”
Inflation also affects sperm donation: having a child costs up to 70% more, you now have to pay nearly 500 euros per semen
