Can we trust sperm banks?
The recent revelation of a sperm donor having passed a rare disorder to five children born in Michigan has posed a question mark on the reputation of 500 odd sperm banks flourishing all over the America. Will this happen to the many mothers lining in front of the banks?
The school going boys had genetically received a disease called severe congenital neutropenia, a blood disorder that affects one in 5 million births.
"In over 30 years that we've been doing this, this is the first time we've ever had anything like this," opines International Cryogenics director Mary Ann BrownMost banks test for more than 10 diseases, from genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis to HIV and hepatitis, and conduct a thorough interview in which they get the donor's medical history. But they do not test for rare disorders.
Despite the above-mentioned opinions, a question that remains unanswered is that why not there exist a set of universal regulations pertaining to which genetic tests must be performed at any cost. It's a wake-up call...so wake up before it's late.
What is the guarantee that your child would escape a disorder like this?...Think!
