There is a shortage of black sperm donors in the United States. The shortage is forcing black women to choose a donor of a different gender and to pursue other methods that may be safe. According to industry experts, there has been a shortage for years, and one of the reasons is a lack of confidence in the medical system. In addition, the fertility industry is usually marketed to eggs. Thus, it has had a significant impact on single black women and couples seeking to start a family.
“If you went to any website of any fertility clinic in the United States prior to 2020, I rarely saw any evidence of people who just looked like people of color on their websites, and there were no children of color,” he said. Cindy Duke, a reproductive endocrinologist and virologist in Las Vegas. “It wasn’t a lot of thought considering there could be an intended black single mother or two same-sex females who needed a black donor,” Duke added.
Black sperm donor statistics
According to the genetic literacy project, Only 1,000 applicants (of all races) made it through the screening process, which is also attributed to the lack of black donors. The process includes a semen analysis, a comprehensive three-generation medical history, testing for infectious diseases, and a criminal background check. Furthermore, the selection process excludes donors accused of a felony.
Unfortunately, less than 2% of black sperm donors are represented in the four largest freeze banks in the country. For example, California Cryobank, Fairfax Cryobank, Seattle Sperm Bank, and Xytex have 748 sperm donors. Sadly, only 12 are black as of October 11th. The waiting list for a white donor at Cryobank of California is usually three months. Compared to black donors who waited up to 18 months.
“We continue to work hard to recruit more black donors,” Morgan Parker, Fairfax Cryobank’s senior marketing director, said in an emailed statement, The Post reports. “There are several more in the pipeline that should be available early next year, and a few more are in the process of sorting.”
“Proper screening is not done when you are private. Recipients and intended donors must ensure that they do not carry the same recessive mutations or genetic problems that could appear in a child,” said Richard Vaughn, an attorney who specializes in fertility law. “When people work from During licensed sperm banks, there is a system of checks and balances and medical screening.”
Will things change?
Black women ages 35 to 45 are more likely to remain single than other racial groups. However, the demand for cryogenic bank services among black women has skyrocketed. In addition, it has skyrocketed during the pandemic. Some black women turn to close male friends and online groups to buy semen.
Sperm banks know that recruiting efforts for black clients have not been reasonable, including failing marketing outreach. “Over the years, we’ve talked to African American fraternities and student organizations to try to increase our number of applicants. This hasn’t been very successful,” said Jaime Chamonqui, chief medical officer of California Cryobank. Chamonqui noted, “It has proven difficult to get access.” The right tone and appealing to these donors rather than turning them away further.” Sperm banks also face the added challenge of convincing black men that sperm donation helps people build families.