Is Sperm Donation After Death Morally Permissible?

[Michael Scally MD]

[OA] Is Sperm Donation After Death Morally Permissible?

In this article we outline and defend the concept of voluntary non-directed postmortem sperm donation. This approach offers a potential means of increasing the quantity and heterogeneity of donor sperm. This is pertinent given the present context of a donor sperm shortage in the UK.

Beyond making the case that it is technically feasible for dead men to donate their sperm for use in reproduction, we argue that this is ethically permissible. The inability to access donor sperm and the suffering this causes, we argue, justifies allowing access to sperm donated after death.

Moreover, it is known that individuals and couples have desires for certain sperm donor characteristics which may not be fulfilled when numbers of sperm donors are low. Enacting these preferences contributes significantly to the well-being of intended parents, so we argue that this provides a pro tanto reason for respecting them. Finally, we explore the benefits and possible disadvantages of such a system for the various parties affected.

Hodson N, Parker J. The ethical case for non-directed postmortem sperm donation. Journal of Medical Ethics Published Online First: 20 January 2020. The ethical case for non-directed postmortem sperm donation

 

[Villain]

I suppose if the person gave written consent before they expired that anything could be done to their body after expiration, then it’s ethical.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Justifying violating human rights seems like a slippery slope to me. Seems more ethical to adopt a baby that's already alive than to take sperm from a dead body without permission to create a new person. I don't know, maybe I just don't get it.

 

[MindlessWork]

I suppose if the person gave written consent before they expired that anything could be done to their body after expiration, then it’s ethical.

Exactly...just like with organ donations prior consent to donate sperm after death (and if tests show that it's viable) should be OK from a legal standpoint. Best idea is to have this as a separate consent item as it applies only to males naturally.

This also brings another interesting question: What about female egg donations (from those females who are of childbearing age) who have died?

 

[Old]

voluntary non-directed postmortem sperm donation. ... Beyond making the case that it is technically feasible for dead men to donate their sperm

Would hate to be the executor of that will ... rubber gloves and a vibrator? A vacuum? Slice and dice?

Justifying violating human rights seems like a slippery slope to me. Seems more ethical to adopt a baby that's already alive than to take sperm from a dead body without permission to create a new person. I don't know, maybe I just don't get it.

Actually the term 'voluntary' mean with permission. See: Ethics - Living Non-Directed Organ Donation - OPTN

This is pertinent given the present context of a donor sperm shortage in the UK.

 

[Perrin Aybara]

Actually the term 'voluntary' mean with permission. See: Ethics - Living Non-Directed Organ Donation - OPTN

Was just skimming and didn't see it said voluntary. In that case I don't see why there's even a need to justify it.

 

[Villain]

Was just skimming and didn't see it said voluntary. In that case I don't see why there's even a need to justify it.

Same

 

[Old]

Was just skimming and didn't see it said voluntary. In that case I don't see why there's even a need to justify it.

Given the world already can't manage to feed itself, somehow the idea that there is a 'sperm-donor-crisis' needs justification.

Moreover, it is known that individuals and couples have desires for certain sperm donor characteristics which may not be fulfilled when numbers of sperm donors are low. Enacting these preferences contributes significantly to the well-being of intended parents, so we argue that this provides a pro tanto reason for respecting them.

Time for genetic engineering or selective breeding?