Semen Donors in Germany - More Liberal than the Professional Guidelines Specify?

In Germany, the Federal Medical Chamber advises against using donor insemination for lesbian and single women. Irrespective of the question of legitimacy, donors providing semen to these groups are not completely protected from legal paternity responsibilities. This study explores donors' attitudes with regard to their willingness to donate for various groups, their attitudes towards information sharing and their knowledge of the legal implications. Thirteen of 15 semen banks were prepared to participate in this study. They were sent 153 questionnaires with 22 mainly closed questions. 63 (41 %) of the questionnaires were returned. Over half of the respondents agreed to donate for lesbian and single women. One third recommended parental disclosure, agreed for the doctor to provide information to offspring and were willing to be contacted by adult offspring. 60% of the respondents assumed that they had no legal responsibilities towards their offspring. In this study, a large proportion of respondents are willing to donate for lesbian and single women. Apparently, semen donors' attitudes are more liberal than specified by professional guidelines. However, the majority of donors assumes that they have no any legal responsibility towards the offspring. It is unclear whether their liberal attitude is based on incorrect legal assumptions or whether they are willing to donate for these groups despite the legal risks. Results indicate that the legal information provided to donors should be improved. This study also suggests challenging current guidelines and legislation, especially as research shows that the development of children growing up with lesbian and single women does not give cause for concern.