Sweden spawns egg and sperm donor website
Published: 15 Sep 10 16:22 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/29026/20100915/
Long waiting times for the childless and unfavourable Swedish reproductive laws has spurred the opening of a new online business: a private egg and sperm donor social networking site that can arrange surrogacies.
- Sweden plummets in income equality ranking (15 May 13)
- Asthma and allergies on the rise for Swedish kids (13 May 13)
- Swedish kids start daycare earlier: report (12 May 13)
"There is no forum for these people today," site creator Tony Jakobsson told medical weekly Dagens Medicin. "What should they do? Advertise on [online classified site] Blocket?"
He likens the business to an online dating site, where people can register and interact anonymously until they decide to meet. Possible fees are negotiated later on by the respective parties.
Children who are born from the donations in the medical care system have a legal right to know their genetic origins when they reach the age of majority.
Swedish law differs from Denmark, where a sex cell donor can choose to remain anonymous. Jakobsson came across the idea for his site after a relative had complained about the "peculiar laws" in Sweden.
Marianne van Rooij, director of operations for the women's clinic at Karolinska University Hospital, believes that the legislation is the reason why there is a shortage of egg and sperm donors in the country.
"One does not think about the possibility of donating, quite simply," she told news agency TT. "I can understand that it is extremely hard for them who stand in line waiting for treatment. This is of course expected. Consequently, there is a market for this service."
In Stockholm alone, 1,700 couples are on a waiting list, of which 70 percent are lesbian couples, said van Rooij. The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) sees no legal barriers regarding the activities of donor.nu.
"There are no legal obstacles for people who want to have children, but do not want any love or friendship relationship," Elin Siljehag, lawyer at the agency's department of rules for permission, told Dagens Medicin.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Stockholm riots spread south on fourth night
Wednesday night saw more burning cars, smashed windows, and stone throwing at police in at least 15 suburbs around Stockholm, as the fourth night of riots swept the Swedish capital. READ () »
Karolinska joins free online-course community
Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet has signed up to offer free online courses, joining a network of 27 universities worldwide that reach nearly a million students. READ () »
Mixed results for Sweden refugee job push
Fifteen percent of refugees in Sweden who enrolled in the new establishment system the past two years have gone on to find jobs, new figures show, leading some observers to worry that the low success rate will place a burden on the benefits system. READ () »
Swedish pressure needed on Assange: accuser
One of the women who has accused Julian Assange of sex crimes has called on the Swedish government to increase pressure on Ecuador to hand over the WikiLeaks-founder to authorities in Sweden. READ () »
Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby
Following three nights of violence that left cars smouldering in several Stockholm suburbs, The Local travelled to the north-western district of Husby where the disturbances began to see how the riots have affected local residents. READ () »
Bergman auction canned after suspected theft
An auction of memorabilia belonging to Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Berman has been scrapped by authorities after claims the items were stolen from the family. READ () »
Stockholm man lay dead in flat for two years
Workmen in southern Stockholm found the body of man who may have lain dead in his flat for over two years, with the police blaming the belated discovery on society's broken social networks. READ () »
Fashion prize turns Rookies into players
Swedish designers who fight for brand-name recognition in the notoriously hard-to-crack fashion business tell The Local's Victoria Hussey about the importance of the Swedish Rookies Award. READ () »
- 22/05 Four jailed for drugging internet date victims »
- 22/05 Doc went on holiday as Swede's cancer spread »
- 19/05 Vast peat fire in Skåne may burn for weeks »
- 17/05 Sweden's drug testing industry plummets »
- 16/05 Suicide figures soar for Sweden's disabled youth »
- 15/05 'Swedish celebrities have raised cancer awareness' »
- 15/05 Apple strips Swedish Whypod of its trademark »
- 14/05 Swedish man mauled in brutal bear attack »
- 14/05 Swedish friction experts unravel curling mystery »
- 13/05 Asthma and allergies on the rise for Swedish kids »
| 22/05 | Accountant to Bank of ChinaSjr Ab | Stockholm |
| 22/05 | Accountant to Bank of ChinaSJR AB | Stockholm, STHM |
| 22/05 | Accounting ManagerMichael Page | Göteborg |
| 22/05 | Accounting ManagerMichael Page | Göteborg, VTG |
| 22/05 | Analyse Engineer - Infotainment PlatformVolvo | Göteborg |
| 22/05 | Analyse Engineer - Infotainment PlatformVolvo Car Corporation | Göteborg, VTG |
- 23/05 Social Democrats launch new global network »
- 23/05 Tax evasion 'ok for Joe Normal' say Germans »
More news from Germany at thelocal.de
- 23/05 Clinton tells the French to be more positive »
- 23/05 France wants Hezbollah added to terror blacklist »
More news from France at thelocal.fr
More news from Norway at thelocal.no
- 22/05 Billionaires' biotech centre set for Geneva »
- 22/05 Court upholds appeals against holiday homes »
More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch
In cooperation with DoToday
Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss
"A week full to the brim with LFC football…. Div 5 LFC match against Nåjdens FK has been moved. This is due to the Svenska Cupen final: 26 May, 17.00 kick off, Nationalarenan Friends Arena, Solna. Next match is on Tuesday (see below). ………………………………………………………… Friday: Div5 Ladies: Rotebro IS FF – Långholmen FC (Skinnaråsens IP) KO: 16.15 ………………………………………………………… Saturday: Vets: Långholmen FC – IFK..." READ »
- 20/5 15:25 Hockey. Hockey. Hockey. (Boston Blatte)
- 16/5 08:32 Be British, be sincere and be bold (Brits Mean Business)
- 19/4 15:47 UK and Sweden sign Defence MOU (The Diplomatic Dispatch)
- 08:53 What does Lagom really mean?
- 05:41 Husby Riots and violence against the police...
- 04:22 Living costs in London
- 03:13 Investment market in Sweden
- 01:05 An alternative on the menu
- 00:56 What has happened to TL?
- 23:17 International school in Lund
- 22:39 Restaurant Inspection Scores
- 19:46 I need a dentist, in Malmö?
- 18:50 Where do I find out if my massage qualifications
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Your comments about this article:
The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.
Eh? Here we go again....another "missing word" puzzle from The Local.
That silly joke actually made more sense than:
"One does not think about the possibility of donating is, quite simply," she told news agency TT.
Seriously, do you guys just copy news articles into Google translate and paste it here without proofreading or do you put a jar of words into a monkeys hands and whatever spills out gets published?
Blaming any shortage of sperm donors on anonymity does seem to make sense. According to HFEA figures, the numbers of sperm donors in the UK have gone *up* four years in a row since the ending of anonymity, thus reversing a three year decline. The 384 donors in 2008 was the highest figure since 1996, and 160 more than in 2004 just before anonymity ended.