Sperm Shortage Hits Australian Sperm Banks
Ellen Connolly Career women in Sydney are creating a nationwide sperm shortage as they race to have a family before turning 40. With demand for sperm growing rapidly - particularly from single Sydney women - clinics are importing vials from the US on a monthly basis. "The demand is incredible and continually rising," said John Braine, from Fertility East in Bondi Junction. The most surprising trend has been a 40 per cent rise in the number of single women seeking sperm donors. "These are women, aged from 35 to 40, who are single, attractive career women, who cannot find a man to have a baby with," he said. While Sydney's man-drought had compounded the problem, new laws giving children the right to know the identity of donor parents was a big factor in the decline in donor numbers. As a result, there are fewer than five registered sperm donors in NSW. Sydney couple Catherine and Stefanie, (pictured), have two children, aged two and 11 weeks, thanks to a donor. ...