Sperm Donor Under FDA Investigation

Trent Arsenault isn't technically a criminal, but he's facing a $100,000 fine or one year in federal prison if he doesn't put an end to his business.

Arsenault is a sperm donor, but he doesn't offer his services at a sperm bank; instead he works out of his home, and offers his donations for free.

Since 2005, Arsenault has been helping infertile couples in California realize their dreams of becoming parents through sperm donation, but the FDA isn't too happy about his methods.

Unlike sperm banks, who require potential sperm donors to undergo rigorous screening for genetic abnormalities, infectious diseases, and mental health, Arsenault is giving his sperm away to anyone who needs it.

Some experts believe this poses a major problem, because recipients cannot guarantee the health of Arsenault's sperm (even though he displays all health tests, lifestyle, and diet details on his website).

Dr. Lynn Westphal, a reproductive endocrinologist at Stanford told the SF Gate, “I know people will get their friends and just use the turkey baster or whatever. Clearly that happens, but there are reasons for these FDA regulations. It’s safer to have the sperm tested.”

However Arsenault and his lawyers say this is an invasion of privacy by the FDA.

Arsenault said, "“What the FDA is doing infringes on reproductive rights. The government is reaching into the bedroom. There’s no precedence for my case. Whatever happens to me kind of sets the future up for all the other people in these situations – the couples plus the donors.”

To learn more about this sperm donor debate, read the full article: The DIY Sperm Donor - Hero or Criminal?