title: Sperm donation: implications of Canada's Assisted Human Reproduction Act 2004 for recipients, donors, health professionals, and institutions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  On April 22, 2004, the Assisted Human Reproduction Act came into force, prohibiting the purchase of sperm or eggs from donors in Canada. In response to the concerns of medical professionals and some consumers that prohibiting payment would lead to a decline in the number of gamete donors, Health Canada commissioned research on altruistic donor recruitment and recruitment strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two studies of sperm donors were located and their findings reviewed. The studies spanned 23 years (1980-2003), were undertaken in a range of countries, and were chosen on the merit of their relevance to the development of recruitment strategies within a policy of altruistic sperm donation. Observations were derived from assessing and comparing the purposes, findings, and implications of the 22 studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Payment for providing sperm was made in all but three studies, although participants in 15 studies indicated clearly that their motivations were primarily altruistic. Observations indicate that men who are more willing to be identified to offspring in the future share demographic characteristics, such as age and parental status, with those who are prepared to donate altruistically. These characteristics appear to be a factor in motivation to donate altruistically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The studies show that there are men who are prepared to donate sperm without financial payment. The findings suggest that a change is required in the culture of sperm donation, specifically the adoption of a new approach to donor recruitment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.affiliation: London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Feyles
authors.affiliation: London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nisker
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, University of Canterbury, New Zealand.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perez-Y-Perez
authors.affiliation: London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.affiliation: London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tekpetey
authors.affiliation: London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haase
mesh_terms: D000533:Altruism; D001290:Attitude; D035843:Biomedical Research; D002170:Canada; D004467:Economics; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013094:Spermatozoa; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D014838:Volunteers