The Health Ministry says it is updating the regulations governing the management of sperm donations in Israel to balance the demand and need for sperm donations with the protection of donors’ rights and the health of future offspring.
The ministry has established a central sperm donor registry for the 17 sperm banks currently operating in Israel to prevent donors from donating to more than one bank and to secure information sharing between banks regarding genetic and other findings, thereby reducing the risk of children being born with genetic diseases.
Donations from the same donor are now limited to a maximum of 12 families, in addition to up to five women who are storing sperm for future use.
To increase the pool of donors, men up to the age of 38 will be eligible to donate sperm, the ministry says. In addition, a married donor or a donor in a domestic partnership may donate sperm, provided that he declares to inform his wife or partner.
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