Victoria opens Australia's first public egg and sperm bank in 'ambitious' bid to reduce fertility barriers to starting a family

3 years ago by tau to c/melbourne

In an Australian first, Victoria has opened its first free public egg and sperm bank, making it easier for hopeful parents to start a family. But fertility experts say the government's donation targets are "ambitious" with altruistic donors typically difficult to recruit.

Australia has opened its first free public egg and sperm bank in Victoria in what a fertility expert has described as an "ambitious" bid to reduce barriers to starting a family.

The bank at the Royal Women's Hospital has begun accepting egg and sperm donations from eligible Victorians.

Seagoon_ 9 points 3 years ago

Raising wages, controlling rent and house prices, bringing back free uni might be more helpful.

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Mekboy_nutkrakka 9 points 3 years ago

I'd rather they used the resources to help people who already existed and to educate people that you don't need to breed to make a family.

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Morovan 8 points 3 years ago

I'd be happy to donate, but there's not an anonymous way to do it. Before a donation, you need to have 3 councilling sessions, health checks (fine) and sign a form saying that the kid can contact you at 18. Too many hoops to jump through for no personal gain. If I could just donate healthy, deidentified sperm I would. It's even worse for women donating eggs.

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Taleya 2 points 3 years ago

Yeah that's a big no. I mean I get wanting to know about any rakes lurking in the genetic grass before they slap you in the face, but the wanting to know your genetic donor is asking for a lot of trouble. If the kid shows up at 18 wanting a parent, they're not going to get it, and it's going to cause a lot of damage.

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TassieTosser 2 points 3 years ago

I empathise with the iv kids but anonymity is important for the donor too.

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Hanhula 1 point 3 years ago

Unfortunately, given that it's 2023 and DNA testing exists, you're never going to be able to donate deidentified sperm. It's possible for the kid to identify their donor without the donor having input, these days. Better for donors to be aware of this going in, I think.

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