British medics have reacted with horror to news that women are selecting a father for their baby from a web site and, thanks to e-commerce, the sperm arrives by post a few days later for self-administration at a cost of $450. The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority warns on its web site http://www.hfea.gov.uk/.that there are many serious potential dangers with obtaining sperm in this way and serious diseases – like HIV – can be contracted from unscreened sperm. The authority was shocked when they called up the web site of San Francisco-based Pacific Reproductive Services at http://www.hellobaby.com/ and found it offered not only a detailed description of potential dads but it offered a postal delivery service to clients’ homes. But the site makes it clear that all its donors are carefully screened for health risks.
