November 6, 2017.
The Biomedicine Agency has just launched a major information campaign to find donors of sperm and oocytes. The demand is indeed very important compared to the offer.
We are looking for 1,400 egg donors
Infertile couples who wish to use medically assisted procreation (ART) may need donated gametes. Each year, 3,500 couples sign up on waiting lists for egg or sperm donation. The waiting times are long (between 13 and 24 months) because there is a dire shortage of donors. It is for this reason that the Biomedicine Agency has launched a new campaign called ” Become a giver of happiness “.
The number of donors is increasing but it is not yet sufficient: in 2015, 540 women donated oocytes (+ 8% compared to 2014) and 255 men donated sperm (+ 7% compared to 2014). Thanks to these donations, 1,227 children were born. To meet current demand, 1,400 egg donors and 300 additional sperm donors would need to be found each year.
Who can donate their gametes?
This shortage of gametes exists, while assisted reproduction is still only reserved for heterosexual infertile couples. Recently Marlène Schiappa, the Secretary of State in charge of equality between women and men, explained that she wanted to make assisted reproduction accessible to all women from 2018. In such a context, the implementation of this measure seems already difficult to achieve.
It is complicated to find donors in France because they cannot in any case be remunerated for their donation. Yes all medical examinations are covered by Social Security, the fact remains that we do not donate our oocytes as naturally as we would donate blood. To donate, you must be a healthy 18-37 year old female or 18-45 year old male. You will find more information on the website of the National Federation of Egg and Sperm Conservation Centers (CECOS).
Marine Rondot
For more information: Egg donation
