Sperm Donation - Good or Bad?

I am seeking some advice from you fine people as I am in a bit of a pickle.

I have a friend who is desperate for a baby but can't have them. She hasn't even got a man to have one with even if she could. We got talking the other day and she mentioned that she really wnated a baby and I said messing about 'Il give you one'. Now we wouldn't have sex or anything I could never do that to my girlfriend it would be just a simple donation.

Now we laughed it off as madness at the time but she emailed me yesterday asking whether I would consider it. She would even pay me a decent amount of money. I do not plan on ever having children so I am thinking yes, I could do this. I reckon I am strong enough to keep emotion out of it and so forth. I haven't told my girlfriend about this either as I am not sure how she will react. What I need to know:

Is this really a good idea?
Is it even legal?
How would you react as a girlfriend? Should I tell her if I do it?

Anything else you can think of would be much appreciated.

Don't do it. It would have huge far-reaching complications. It would be nice for a child to have a father too. For example have you been tested for HIV, Hepatitis, etc? Could you financially support a child in the future?

There's plenty of places she can go for help with all the proper medical, health and legal measures in place.

Really bad idea, IMO, mate. You say you can keep emotions out of it, but I don't think it's ever that easy. (I don't know if you're a Dad already, but trust me, the "my kid" hormones would start to rage once it's born.)

You've also got to consider the legal and financial ramifications of this decision. You and your mate may be very amicable and best-intentioned now, but who knows in the future?

I was a sperm donor whilst I was a medical student. I still retain my anonymity and am un-traceable by any donor children I may have fathered. I would never even donate anonymously now, not since the change in legislation.

I often leave donations on trains and buses. So yes, a good thing.

I don't think email attachments are that good yet.

W.W.J.D?

Quote: Dolly Dagger @ June 18 2009, 10:19 AM BST

Don't do it. It would have huge far-reaching complications. It would be nice for a child to have a father too. For example have you been tested for HIV, Hepatitis, etc? Could you financially support a child in the future?

There's plenty of places she can go for help with all the proper medical, health and legal measures in place.

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Yeah I been tested for all diseases. I got back from back packing in December and wanted to be sure I didn't have anything.

I am not sure she could afford the medical help.

Quote: Tim Walker @ June 18 2009, 10:21 AM BST

(I don't know if you're a Dad already, but trust me, the "my kid" hormones would start to rage once it's born.)

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Not a dad.

Quote: Darren Pomroy @ June 18 2009, 10:24 AM BST

I am not sure she could afford the medical help.

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Well, then she sadly can't afford a child. How old is she?

It's a ridiculously bad idea Darren. I cannot envisage it working out well for anyone concerned.

Quote: Dolly Dagger @ June 18 2009, 10:25 AM BST

Well, then she sadly can't afford a child. How old is she?

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27.

Quote: Rob H @ June 18 2009, 10:25 AM BST

It's a ridiculously bad idea Darren. I cannot envisage it working out well for anyone concerned.

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Deep down I know this already I just want to help a friend.

Quote: Darren Pomroy @ June 18 2009, 10:24 AM BST

I am not sure she could afford the medical help.

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To be honest, mate, however super your sperm may be, it's the cheapest part of the whole infertility treatment. If she has fertility problems then, however they are funded, they are potentially expensive, wherever the sperm comes from. If she "can't have kids" then it's very unlikely she will conceive without medical intervention anyway.

I would be very, very careful about pursuing anything to do with this...

Quote: Darren Pomroy @ June 18 2009, 10:27 AM BST

27.

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She's got plenty of time to meet someone. It's not your responsibility.

If she needs IVF the success rate doesn't taper off 'till after 36.

So that is a firm no from everyone? Only joking, it is a bad idea I was kind of hoping somneone would tell me it was a great idea.

Quote: chipolata @ June 18 2009, 10:21 AM BST

I often leave donations on trains and buses. So yes, a good thing.

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WHOOP! WHOOP! Comedy Writer Alert!!

Quote: Morrace @ June 18 2009, 10:40 AM BST

WHOOP! WHOOP! Comedy Writer Alert!!

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False alarm.

It's a lovely idea, but the reality would most likely be horrible.