Research identifies key barriers and motivations for Scottish sperm donors
Attitudes Towards Sperm Donation in Scotland. (Kasirye, 2025)
Kasirye, J., Tanawade, P., & Lopes, F. (2025). Attitudes Towards Sperm Donation in Scotland. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-025-01213-5
Geographic Region: Scotland
Research Question: What are the attitudes of Scottish men aged 18-45 toward sperm donation, and what motivations and barriers influence their willingness to donate?
Design: This cross-sectional survey study collected data during two periods: May-August 2022 and May-August 2024. Researchers distributed an anonymous online questionnaire through multiple channels, including social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Instagram), email, and physical fliers with QR codes in major Scottish cities (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, and Glasgow).
Sample: 169 men aged 18-45 residing in Scotland, with a mean age of 30 years. Geographic distribution showed overrepresentation of Northern Scotland (53%). The sample was predominantly White (60%), with notable representation from Asian (23%) and African (7%) ethnic backgrounds. The majority of respondents were employed (63%), single (54%), and had never fathered a child (92%). None had previously donated sperm. Sexual orientation distribution included heterosexual/straight (75%), bisexual (9%), and gay (8%). While 56% reported religious affiliation, only 47% considered their beliefs important. Respondents learned about sperm donation primarily through word of mouth (25%), social media advertisements (16%), though 4% had never heard of it. 13% indicated they were conceived with donor gametes.
Key Findings
The vast majority of Scottish men held positive views about sperm donation. 86% viewed sperm donation as a generous act that a person can make. Similarly, 92% recognized that donating sperm to research helps understand serious genetic conditions and improve fertility treatments. A minority (15%) opposed sperm donation on moral grounds.
62% said they would consider using donor sperm for their own fertility treatment if needed. Non-heterosexual men were more likely to consider this option: 89% compared to 54% of heterosexual men.
42% supported donating to married heterosexual couples, 40% to cohabiting heterosexual couples, 52% to single women, 46% to same-sex female couples, and 49% to transgender individuals. Non-heterosexual men were significantly more willing than heterosexual men to donate to transgender individuals: 65% compared to 44%.
Overall, 77% said helping someone fulfill their desire to have a child would motivate them. Similarly, 76% felt empathy toward couples suffering from infertility problems, and 66% would get satisfaction from believing donation is an act of kindness. 64% said they’d be motivated if they were familiar with friends or family going through fertility issues. 51% said they’d be highly motivated by financial compensation. Non-heterosexual men showed stronger motivation across several factors compared to heterosexual men, including passing on their genes (57% vs. 21%), producing offspring (57% vs. 25%), and financial compensation (70% vs. 45%).
More than half (59%) believed children conceived with donated sperm should have the right to know their genetic origin. The vast majority (85%) supported giving donors the right to choose whether to be identifiable or anonymous.
82% felt that after a donor-conceived offspring requests to meet them, donors should have the opportunity to decide whether or not to meet the child. 54% said they’d have no issue if children conceived from their donations contacted them directly. Younger men (under 30) were significantly more open to direct contact than older men (64% versus 44%). Single men were much more willing to be contacted directly than men in relationships (67% versus 32%). Non-fathers were significantly more willing than fathers to be contacted (63% versus 29%).
Just over half (58%) believed their own future children should have the right to know their donor-conceived siblings. Non-fathers were significantly more likely to support their own future children knowing their donor-conceived siblings (64% versus 41%).
Two-thirds (66%) wanted to know about successful pregnancies resulting from their donations.
71% were unaware of donor recruitment eligibility criteria or the laws governing sperm donation. 62% expressed discomfort about the removal of anonymity laws (Note: This occurred in 2005). 42% were concerned that semen analysis would reveal fertility issues. 42% were not comfortable providing a semen sample at the collection center. 39% viewed the commitment to weekly donations over 2-3 months as a barrier.
Limitations: Data collected during two separate periods (2022 and 2024) without analysis of temporal changes. The recruitment strategy heavily relied on digital platforms and urban centers, likely excluding men with limited internet access, lower digital literacy, or residing in more rural areas of Scotland. Men with strongly negative views or complete disinterest may be systematically underrepresented. The sample included 17% non-heterosexual respondents compared to 4% in the general Scottish population, which may skew overall findings toward more progressive attitudes on some issues while providing valuable insight into this important demographic.
Applications: Research should examine why the removal of anonymity creates such significant concern despite high support for offspring’s right to know their origins, exploring which specific aspects of identity disclosure create discomfort and how to address these concerns.
Funding Source: The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of the manuscript.
Lead Author: Joseph Kasirye is affiliated with the University of Dundee’s School of Medicine. No personal link to donor conception was disclosed.
Regulatory Context
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) serves as independent regulator overseeing fertility treatment and research using human embryos. It was established by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 and amended in 2008.
Fertility treatment is provided at both NHS and private licensed clinics. Single women, female same-sex couples, and heterosexual couples all have equal legal access to fertility treatments, including donor conception. Since 2013, all women qualify for fertility services regardless of marital status or sexual orientation.
Donor anonymity law changed in 2005. Donors who registered after April 1, 2005, must be identifiable. Donor-conceived individuals born from donations after this date can request identifying information (name, date of birth, town of birth, last known address) once they turn 18. For those conceived before April 2005, donors are anonymous unless they have chosen to re-register as identifiable.
If both the donor-conceived person and their half-sibling(s) are on the HFEA Register and request information, the HFEA can tell them whether they’re genetically related. Anyone over 16 can ask the HFEA this question.
The 10-family limit restricts the number of families that can be created from a single donor at UK licensed clinics; this limit applies to both UK donors and imported donor sperm.
All donations must be altruistic. However, unlike the rest of the UK, donors cannot be compensated for verified expenses.
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