I need the board’s opinion on this matter. Yesterday in the mail I received a very personal letter. It was an invitation by a very prominent cryobank to become a gamete donor. I have been targeted for my very high test scores and my academic pedigree, and I suspect that they may have had a bit of an idea as to my athletic talents, as well. But why I was selected is beside the point. At this stage I need to make a decision. There are thousands of people who are desperate to have children, but are unable to without the assistance of sperm donation. This would truly be a rewarding experience both for myself and for the infertile couples who desire a child. I view it as a way to give something back to society that has so richly blessed me in many ways. If I did this, I could choose to either remain anonymous, or enroll in their “Future Connections” program where the adult offspring have the option of requesting the identity of the donor. Donors in the program earn on average $200 per specimen, and some donors consistently earn over $2000 per month, but money is not driving my decision here. I’ll ask the board: would you become a gamete donor, given the chance, or would you have objections to it?
I got this when I was in law school. No way I'd do it. I'm not making a judgment call for anyone else...I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm saying I would feel like my son or daughter was out there in the world somewhere.
I would, especially if money was a reason (although this doesn't pertain to you). Kind of strange to think some kid on the streets might be yours. But it is a noble cause. Best of all, it doesn't hurt as much as giving plasma. (and stop wasting it in tissues)
I know a guy who dropped out of college, has hopped from job to job, and is generally a "loser" who received one of these as well. I wouldn't do it, but it needs to be done by someone, I guess.
I like how they stroke your ego to get you to donate. "You're soooo smart we want your sperm -- just not so smart that you can see through my bull****." I wouldn't do it. Infertile couples should adopt, imo.
I don't think you should do it, but that's because I wouldn't be comfortable not being connected to my own offspring during their childhood. Now, why would an infertile husband want to do this? I could never shake the feeling of somebody else knocking up my wife. Wouldn't it be better, cheaper, and more useful to society to adopt? BTW, how did they get all of this info on your texxx? I don't think they keep test scores and athletic achievements in some data base like your credit history.
Actually they used to advertise in the newspaper at Rice. Maybe they have an alumni list or something. Or it could be through the Mensa database. I don't really know.
Tough call. To think that one, two, ten, even one hundred of your "kids" are out there would just be mind-boggling.
I live in the 4th ward too, and I got the same mail. I think it's like those Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons and other mass mail.
Wow, that's a difficult situation, but when faced with such a decision you just have to ask yourself: WWKD? For a great satire article about Kemp, check this out: Kemp Accidentally Has Sex with Same Woman And just for fun, here's SK getting posterized by The Dream:
I would never do this b/c I wouldn't want to face the inevitable cliched "fifteen years down the road this child hunts me down and shows up on my doorstep saying, 'I'm your son/daughter.'" That would be too freaky.
You must be on the Mensa basketball team. I really don't understand the meaning behind joining that type of organization. Does one's ego need that much stroking, to join a "smart people club"?
I think so too. There are so many kids that were brought into this world and weren't wanted (or taken away for safety reasons). I think that people who want to become parents should look into adoption. I understand the whole thing about wanting to pass your genes on and the family name, etc etc... But I'd still go for adoption - my dad and my mom's dad were both adopted, so if it weren't for my previous generations adopting, I probably wouldn't be posting here about all this.
i can only say that w/o mr. 304, our two wonderful children wouldn't be here. there are many reasons infertile couples might choose a sperm/egg donor over adoption, not least because of the cost differential, although IVF certainly isn't cheap, and in our case the costs were about the same. pregancy is an incredibly emotional experience, for both men and women. if you choose to do it though, subjugate your ego, and do yourself and the potential children a favor by remaining anonymous.
