The government is starting a pilot scheme in Manchester this month for a national sperm bank — and will target sports fans as potential donors. Fertility experts at St Mary’s hospital have been given funds to run the pilot scheme, which may lead to a national programme along the lines of the blood donation service.
Daniel Brison, professor of clinical embryology at the hospital’s department of reproductive medicine, said sporting events were a good place to find men who might be inclined to donate sperm.
“Approaching sports fans at football and cricket matches in Manchester is a way of accessing large numbers of men,” he said. “We might also get support from the sports clubs themselves. The idea is to make it easier to donate.”
He added that he wanted to use wit to appeal to the fans, although that was not without risks. It would be easy to imagine fans chanting of their rivals, “What a bunch of sperm donors”, or something similar.
The government has been keen to reverse a drop in sperm donations that has led fertility clinics to buy supplies from countries such as Denmark, prompting suggestions that a generation of blonde, blue-eyed British Vikings could be the result.
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