The largest sperm bank in Britain is under investigation after it was found out that it was banning donors with what it described as “neurological diseases.”
According to The Guardian, London Sperm Bank has been turning away men with common conditions including dyslexia, autism, ADHD, Asperger syndrome and motor disorder dyspraxia.
The publication reports that the sperm bank sees these restrictions as a way to “minimise the risk of transmitting common genetic diseases or malformations to any children born.”
The policy – dubbed “eugenics by campaigners” – has caused a great deal of controversy and the establishment is now being investigated by the fertility regulator.
Vanessa Smith, quality manager at the JD Healthcare group which runs the London Sperm Bank, has said that the leaflet outlining the policy has been withdrawn.
