Ethical and Legal Concerns Surrounding Sri Lanka’s First Sperm Bank

Sri Lanka’s first-ever sperm bank has been established at the Castle Street Hospital in Colombo, marking a significant development in reproductive healthcare. The hospital is now seeking healthy donors to assist couples facing fertility challenges.  

However, concerns arise regarding the confidentiality of donor identities and the potential ethical and legal implications. If donor anonymity is maintained, several critical issues must be addressed:

1. Risk of Incest – If a donor’s sperm is used for artificial insemination without disclosure, there is a possibility—however unintended—of a biological offspring unknowingly engaging in incestuous relationships. This could occur if a donor’s sperm is used to conceive a child who later, without knowledge of their genetic origin, enters into a relationship with a biological sibling or even their own biological father.

2. Ethical Boundaries and Prostitution Allegations – The use of sperm from an anonymous donor for insemination raises ethical concerns. While medically facilitated, does this practice blur the lines of ethical reproduction? This raises broader discussions on consent, parental rights, and the implications for the child’s identity.

3. Controlled Use of Donated Sperm – If a man’s sperm is used to inseminate his own wife, there are no ethical concerns.

To prevent unforeseen ethical and legal dilemmas, it is crucial that the Castle Street Hospital and the Health Ministry establish comprehensive regulations ensuring transparency, donor accountability, and safeguards against potential genetic and legal complications. Proactive legislation must be introduced to prevent complex paternity disputes and protect the well-being of all parties involved.

Mohamed Zahran,

Colombo