27 February 2012
The exchange rate between the euro and Denmark's krone is causing a crisis for the sperm banking business in Ireland, reports the Irish Independent.
Ireland receives almost all of its donated sperm from Denmark, but with the Danish krone remaining at record high levels against the euro (€), the strong krone is keeping import prices high.
Although exact data is unavailable, the Irish Independent estimates that donors are paid up to €300 per viable sample. A fully identified donor can expect to receive considerably more.
'It's big business in Denmark. In most countries it's considered inappropriate to pay for samples, but donors get paid there', said Graham Coull, laboratory manager at the Sims fertility clinic in Dublin, which reportedly imported almost €80,000 of sperm last year.
Danish sperm donation company, Cyros, is one of the world's and Ireland's leading suppliers.
Standard IVF costs between €3,700 and €5,000 in Ireland, according to figures obtained by the Irish Times. However, with the falling value of the euro and the continuing economic crisis, the fertility market looks set to also be affected.
In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is not provided by the public health service but private clinics are permitted to offer the service. There is currently no legislative framework to regulate fertility treatment but guidelines issued by the Irish Medical Council set out the conditions under which clinics may provide such services.
The payment of donors is prohibited in the UK, but donors may claim 'reasonable expenses' up to a maximum of £250 per course of sperm donation.
SOURCES & REFERENCES
|
Joe
|
19 February 2012
|
|
Irish Central
|
19 February 2012
|
|
Irish Independent
|
19 February 2012
|
RELATED ARTICLES FROM THE BIONEWS ARCHIVE
|
10 February 2014 - by Chee Hoe Low |
The sudden closure of an Irish IVF clinic has left patients unable to access their medical files, with some claiming that they are owed substantial amounts of money, reports the Irish Independent.... |
|
3 December 2012 - by Matthew Young |
Couples in Ireland undergoing IVF treatment will now be able to access tests to check for genetic and chromosomal conditions. Previously couples had to go abroad for the tests, which are widely offered in the UK, but they have now been licensed for use in two Irish clinics. |
|
16 April 2012 - by Dr Rosie Morley |
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has launched a new strategy to increase awareness of egg and sperm donation and to improve the care of donors. It aims to address perceived obstacles to donor recruitment aired during its consultation on gamete donation last year.... |
|
21 November 2011 - by Antony Starza-Allen |
An advisor to the Irish Government on child protection has expressed his 'profound concern' that failing to legislate in the area of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may result in children's rights being violated.... |
|
26 September 2011 - by Luciana Strait |
The world's largest sperm bank, Cryos International, is turning away red-haired men as donors due to a lack of demand for their sperm. Its director, Mr Ole Schou, said the bank has reached its capacity of 70 litres of semen due to a surge in donations in recent years... |
|
29 November 2010 - by Nishat Hyder |
A UK fertility clinic, the Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health (CRGH), has received permission to import eggs from Russia, in order to meet the demand for donated eggs. Using the Russian eggs, the CRGH, which already imports sperm from Denmark, will create an egg bank for infertile women looking to undergo fertility treatment.... |