Donor and Offspring Evaluation

Sperm Donor Screening

Fairfax Cryobank is committed to providing donor sperm that produces healthy babies, of which there are thousands over the thirty years of our operation. However, in the general population, every pregnancy has about a 3-4% risk of producing a child with a birth defect or mental deficiency. Our extensive sperm donor screening and testing reduces this risk, but cannot eliminate it. Review our Terms of Use to learn what you can expect from us, and what we expect from you.

We ask physicians and clients to notify us when they believe a child born by donor sperm has a medical condition. In the rare cases when we receive such notice, we immediately remove that donor from sale and investigate the report. We carefully gather as much information as we can on any reported condition, asking for a physician’s diagnosis and family history on the mother. Unfortunately, in many cases, we never receive a physician’s diagnosis that is essential to properly investigate the report.

Fairfax Cryobank’s Medical Director is a physician who is Board Certified in pediatrics and clinical genetics. He carefully evaluates all adverse clinical reports. If additional testing of the donor can be done (not all medical conditions have a simple blood or specimen test) that can identify or help to clarify a donor’s role, he orders it. If our Medical Director determines that using the donor could increase the risk of the occurrence of a medical condition and/or birth defect above the risk in the general population, we will restrict that donor, meaning that his sperm is no longer available for sale to the general public.

In certain circumstances, however, we will allow this donor to remain available only to clients who already have a child by the same donor, thus allowing them the option to attempt to have a biological sibling to their child. Those individuals who wish to have a biological sibling for their child must sign an informed consent that describes the clinical condition and the risks associated with it before they can purchase or ship any of the donor’s units for future inseminations. genetic counseling is recommended so that those who want to use a restricted donor can have their questions answered before making a decision to sign the informed consent. A genetic counselor is available on our staff to help answer these important questions. Clients and their physicians can then evaluate if it is appropriate to use this donor.

Fairfax Cryobank is a recognized leader in the screening and testing of its donors. We do everything possible to provide information to prospective mothers and the mothers of children conceived through donor sperm to ensure that they and their physicians can make the best decisions about the selection of donor sperm and the future health of their children.