Donors have say over sperm

Last updated: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 Print Donors in Australia's south-east corner can specify that only Christians and married couples get to use their sperm or eggs according to controversial legislation that was passed by the New South Wales state parliament Wednesday.

Greens member of parliament John Kaye failed to block a bill he said would grant "legal sanction to bigotry and prejudice" and gave donors "the ability to specifically discriminate against single mothers, lesbians and ethnic and religious groups."

Premier Morris Iemma told parliament that recipients could have a say on the background of donors and it was only right that donors had the right to allocate their sperm or eggs as they wished.

Michael Chapman, who runs fertility clinics, said the legislation would encourage more people to come forward and donate because they could determine who could receive their sperm or eggs.

But Melbourne University ethicist Leslie Cannold deplored the new rules, saying "the whole idea of donating is giving and I don't think you give gifts with those sorts of conditions attached." - (Sapa)

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