Health Canada issues sperm donor warning
Health Canada officials sent out an alert to Canadians about the potentials risks of using “fresh donor semen” for assisted conception.
“Various websites provide a listing of Canadian semen donors available to provide fresh donor semen to Canadian women for assisted conception,” the warning points out, before noting that just handing around semen, willy-nilly, is simply not allowed.
“The safety of donor semen intended for assisted conception is paramount,” the Health Canada release stresses.
It’s why there is strict semen regulations — the alert continues — that set forth requirements that are aimed at minimizing the potential risk of transmitting infectious agents to mother and child. “Donor semen for assisted conception must be processed in accordance with the Semen Regulations and quarantined for a minimum of six months,” Health Canada notes.
“The donor must be screened and tested before and after the donation in order to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious disease.”
Many Canadians might be surprised to learn that under the Food and Drugs Act, donor semen is considered a drug - torontosun.com