What would you do to pay for a trip to Las Vegas? Some people might get a job; others might empty their savings accounts.
And then there are some people who would go to the extreme of selling their most expensive assets: reproductive cells.
Sperm donation has become increasingly popular in the U.S. in the past 20 years as infertility rates have tripled since the 1960’s, according to spermbankinformation.com.
The Food and Drug Administration enforced certain standards for testing and screening in reproductive tissue banks along with establishing in-depth records of donors in 2005.
Laws may vary from state to state, some being more lenient than others. Despite how simple it may seem for men, the entire process is pretty lengthy and could take up to six months depending on the sperm bank.
The process begins with the initial interview, in which the applicants are weeded out by certain standards, which usually include an age restriction from about 18-34, a minimum height of 5 feet, 11 inches and a good school and medical record.
And some men complain women have impossible standards!
If all criteria are met, then the applicant must give three donations that are tested for count, mobility and freeze ability. Very few applicants make it through the donation stage, and if you are lucky enough to pass, a multiple generation medical history test and a full medical exam are the only things left to complete the process. Depending on the sperm bank and the quality of the sample, a donor could make anywhere from $20-$200 per donation.
If the extensive process doesn’t bother you, there are still some key points to note before signing on the dotted line. Most sperm banks require the donors to commit to programs that could last from a few months to three years, in which the donor must stay healthy and report any diseases he may have contracted during that time. Aside from that, the donor has no rights to any child that is produced and must remain anonymous.
This process may seem like an easy fix for some extra cash, but it requires more from men than just an empty afternoon and a porno magazine. It requires serious thought and commitment, which most men are scared to do anyway.
Donating female reproductive cells has not been as common as donating sperm, but it is beginning to gain popularity. The number of eggs donated from 1996-2006 has increased from about 4,000 to 11,000 egg donors, according to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The numbers may seem small over a 10-year period, but the standards for female applications are stricter than male applicants — but for a much higher payoff.
Female applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 35 in order to ensure the highest level of fertility. Following an approved interview, the applicants must pass medical and physical exams and provide extensive genetic records.
In addition, each applicant must undergo psychological analysis in order to test her ability to handle emotional and social issues. Removing the eggs requires a minor, one-day surgery followed by a few days of recuperation and a couple thousand dollars in your pocket.
But wait, there’s a catch.
Female egg donation is legal in 49 of 50 states, and you guessed it, Louisiana is the odd state out. Sorry Louisiana ladies, but you’re going to have to go across state lines if this sounds fun to you.
Personally, the thought of donating blood makes me weak, so there’s no chance I would be able to pull this off for fun. Plus, I’m probably not tall enough anyway.
At first thought, donating your most expensive assets may seem like a cake walk, but when you add the hassle of paper work, medical tests and even going under the knife, it may not seem like the easiest solution. So back to square one with that Las Vegas trip. I hear Plucker’s is hiring.
—-Contact Brittany Davis at [email protected].