FDA Tells Volunteer Sperm Donor to Zip It

Posted on Dec 19, 2011

Esparta Palma (CC-BY)

As of late last year, a Fremont, Calif., man had donated his sperm 328 times to would-be parents who found him on the Internet. The Food and Drug Administration has told the donor, whose self-described “service to help the community” has produced 14 children, to stop.

Trent Arsenault told the AP that he is frequently tested for sexually transmitted diseases, but there are strict rules that govern testing for organized sperm banks and the FDA wants Arsenault’s DIY operation shut down.

Although the FDA worries Arsenault is breaking rules designed to protect others, the donor tells AP that his actions are a form of charity:

Arsenault believes the FDA tracked him down from his website, which advertises his availability as a sperm donor. In its letter, the agency describes Arsenault’s service as a business. Arsenault disagrees.

“This is not a business or a clinic. It’s just people partnering up to have a baby out of compassion,” he said.

—PZS

 

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