Beware of Donor Matchmaking Websites

There are websites that act as "matchmaking" sites for individuals searching for donors, but it is in your best interest to be very, very wary of these sites. They are completely unregulated and don't have to abide by the regulations the FDA requires of sperm banks.

There are no restrictions on the donors, nor any regulations for disease screening, genetic testing, medical exams, three generation medical histories and all the other criteria sperm banks have for their donors.

Sperm banks have strict processes they follow to make sure the sperm they offer is safe and effective. They screen sperm for motility (how fast they swim), morphology (how healthy they are), infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, CMV, chlamydia, syphilis), genetic diseases (e.g., Bloom Syndrome, Tay Sachs) and more.

They are also required by law to follow FDA regulations, and many of them have voluntary accreditation from the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and certification through CLIA,  The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment of 1988. These regulations establish standards that apply to laboratory testing of human semen specimens, laboratory personnel, quality control, and quality assurance.

Sperm Banks offer more than a convenient way to find a donor; they offer the safest possible way to obtain semen from both anonymous and "open" donors (willing to be contacted by their offspring once the offspring turn 18).

So please, think twice before heading to those donor matchmaking sites.