Beijing, Sep 18 (IANS) Longing for a child, many infertile couples in China are turning to sperm black markets where “donors” offer their sperm by injection or at times by having unprotected sex with such needy customers, Shanghai Daily reported.
Though there are legal human sperm banks, a shortage of sperm supply, rising fees and long waits drive couples to the underground market, where they can get sperm cheaper or even free.
According to Beijing News, even as some sperm banks have a provision of cash rewards to draw more volunteers, some donors still prefer the black market. It helps them in skipping health checks, earn more money and have free sex.
This market is booming. But medical experts and lawyers warn it could be putting couples at risk of catching diseases from strangers and involvement in ethical and legal issues.
A donor nicknamed “Gunner” said he had donated sperm to two women by having sex with them and got them pregnant. “I only want to have more offspring,” he told the newspaper.
In Beijing, an infertile couple may have to pay 3,000 yuan (about $500) to a sperm bank for collecting sperm and another 6,000 yuan (about $1,000) for hospital charges. Moreover, at times couples may have to wait for one to two years.
