Cultural and bioethical analysis of anonymous sperm donation

Resumo

Anonymous sperm donation is one of several approaches that help people with fertility problems conceive a baby. However, it has led to paternity crises. In traditional African religions, anonymous sperm donation presents a complex dilemma when African values of kinship, family lineage, and paternity meet modern reproductive technologies. The dilemma extends beyond biological aspects, having social, ethical, and cultural implications. From philosophical analysis, this study argues that anonymous sperm donation is beneficial for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of donors but has led to a paternity crisis. Change is needed to remove the fiat from the human identity of accidental offspring and concludes that policymakers should implement paternity ethics for the assessments of the sperm gift register to enable children of accidental offspring to know the true identity of their parents.