What is the Sikh view on Sperm Donation?

Sperm donation is the name of the provision (or ‘donation’) by a man, known as a sperm donor, of his semen with the intention that it be used to achieve a pregnancy and produce a baby in a woman who is not the man’s sexual partner and with whom the man does not have sexual intercourse. Attempts are made to impregnate a woman with the donor’s sperm using third party reproduction techniques notably artificial insemination.

A sperm donor may donate his sperm directly to the woman recipient, or he may donate it at a clinic known as a sperm bank.

A man generally donates sperm at a clinic or sperm bank by way of masturbation in a private room or cabin, known as a ‘men’s production room’ (UK) or a ‘masturbatorium’ (USA). Many of these facilities contain pornography such as videos, magazines, and/or photographs in order to assist the donor to produce the ejaculate.

—– GURMAT VIEW ON SPERM DONATION —–

Sperm donation is not in line with Gurmat.

Procreation requires responsibility and accountability. If you have a child whether it be by the actual act of sexual intercourse or via artificial means you still have a responsibility and a connection to the child conceived.

To get the sperm in the first place, masturbation is necessary. And being that lust is necessary for masturbation, then it would end up being contrary to Gurmat.

If someone cannot achieve a child, they can seek medical treatment and alternatives, or they could adopt a child. There are so many children seeking for love and a family to look after them. Rather than people donating sperm, it would be better to divert that energy to help orphans and children who have been abandoned and need warmth and love for a caring couple.