Nordic Sperm Shortage: US Bans Imports Due to Mad Cow Disease

  • Thread starter Thread starter Math Is Hard
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Nordic sperm shortage in the U.S. due to a ban on imports from Europe, implemented to prevent the spread of mad cow disease. Since May 2005, American sperm banks have been unable to import sperm, leading to a dwindling supply and increased desperation among prospective parents. Individuals like Laura, a Los Angeles lawyer, express frustration over inflated prices for remaining vials, which can exceed $2,000, compared to the typical cost of under $500. The conversation also touches on the absurdity of branding sperm and the potential for business opportunities in this niche market.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of U.S. health regulations regarding sperm donation
  • Knowledge of the implications of mad cow disease and its transmission
  • Familiarity with sperm bank operations and donor anonymity laws
  • Awareness of the market dynamics in reproductive health services
NEXT STEPS
  • Research U.S. health regulations on sperm donation and importation
  • Explore the impact of mad cow disease on public health policies
  • Investigate the economics of sperm donation and pricing strategies
  • Learn about donor anonymity laws in Nordic countries and their effects on sperm supply
USEFUL FOR

Individuals interested in reproductive health, healthcare policymakers, and anyone involved in the sperm donation industry will benefit from this discussion.

  • #31
Moonbear said:
If these women want Nordic sperm, they could always get it the old fashioned way. :rolleyes:
Hang around York and wait to get ravished by some invading vikings?
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #32
The ladies can have my sperm, in Germany mad cow disease never was such a big problem as it was in England. They only would have t

MOOOOOOOH !
 
  • #33
As far as I remember mad cow disease wasn't much of a problem in the UK. Only a handful of cases per year.
 
  • #34
Kurdt said:
As far as I remember mad cow disease wasn't much of a problem in the UK. Only a handful of cases per year.

ooopsie... mixed this up with foot-and-mouth ! Hm... mixing things up...memory getting weak... are these the symptoms ? :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
  • #35
Kurdt said:
As far as I remember mad cow disease wasn't much of a problem in the UK. Only a handful of cases per year.
Yes, but i can't give blood in the US/Canada - because I lived in the UK.
And ironically I couldn't give blood in the UK because I had visited the USA where everybody has west nile virus!

How a prion is going to get into washed IVF sperm anyway is a mystery.
 
  • #36
Oberst Villa said:
ooopsie... mixed this up with foot-and-mouth ! Hm... mixing things up...memory getting weak... are these the symptoms ? :eek: :eek: :eek:

Yeah, they're the symptoms, but I can't remember for what. :confused: :rolleyes:
 
  • #37
PF may be missing out on a cash flow-----it can be in the business of supplying the 'Brain Sperm' shortage


And if the PF sisters started donating, who knows?
 
Last edited:
  • #38
Kurdt said:
You'd want a Finn if you were going Scandinavian. They can drive better. :biggrin:

so, when they're done 'supplying'---are they 'Finnished'?

Evo said:
Arildno could make a fortune. He's brilliant, he's Norweedish.

and, for some reason, when I think of a donor with that ancestory, I think of the word 'squeegeed'
 
Last edited:
  • #39
In Finland fairly recent legislation forbids anonymous finnish donors. This has caused a very significant drop in the amount of donors and a real Nordic sperm shortage. These days sperm is imported from Denmark and women go there to get treatments.
 
  • #40
Do they pay for sperm donation?
I can see a possible way for Iceland to bail (or another four letter word) itself out of bancruptcy.
 
  • #41
mgb_phys said:
Hang around York and wait to get ravished by some invading vikings?


I've been trying for two months to come up with a Norwegian Wood joke. I got nothing. :frown:
 
  • #42
I've been trying for two months to come up with Norwegian Wood. I got nothing.
 
  • #43
tribdog said:
I've been trying for two months to come up with Norwegian Wood. I got nothing.

um.. you're talking about shopping at Ikea, right?
 
  • #44
no I'm talking about my flaccid penis.
Now wait a minute, is this something that's going to get me another demerit? I'm balancing on the edge as far as those things go.
 
  • #45
tribdog said:
no I'm talking about my flaccid penis.
I think that's the name of a chair in IKEA!
 
  • #46
mgb_phys said:
I think that's the name of a chair in IKEA!

:biggrin:
I can almost picture it.
:redface:
 
  • #47
I thought it was a bean bag. :confused:
 
  • #48
mgb_phys said:
Do they pay for sperm donation?

No. The same law says that it is forbidden to pay to finns for sperm but obviously sperm banks pay for imported stuff. However, it is still cheaper for the donor than finding a recipient in a bar and doing it the old fashion way.

mgb_phys said:
I can see a possible way for Iceland to bail (or another four letter word) itself out of bancruptcy.

Last I heard one sperm can costs around 500€ for the end user. There clearly is a market.