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

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of a sperm shortage in the U.S. due to bans on importing sperm from Europe, particularly in light of health concerns related to mad cow disease. Participants explore various aspects of this issue, including personal anecdotes, potential business opportunities, and the cultural implications of seeking Nordic sperm.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Humorous commentary

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express frustration over the sperm shortage and the high costs associated with acquiring vials from donors.
  • There are humorous suggestions about branding sperm donations with names like "Finn" and "Olaf," reflecting a playful take on the situation.
  • Concerns are raised about the health implications of mad cow disease and its connection to sperm donation, with some questioning the actual risk involved.
  • A participant notes that legislation in Finland has led to a decrease in anonymous donors, contributing to the sperm shortage.
  • Several comments reflect on the cultural stereotypes associated with Nordic individuals, including driving skills and desirability of traits like blue eyes and blond hair.
  • Some participants joke about the potential for a business opportunity in supplying "mad cow-free" sperm, suggesting a market for certified donors.
  • There are light-hearted exchanges about the absurdity of the situation and the lengths people might go to in order to obtain Nordic sperm.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features a mix of humorous commentary and serious concerns, with no clear consensus on the implications of the sperm shortage or the health risks associated with mad cow disease. Participants share differing views on the desirability of Nordic sperm and the cultural perceptions surrounding it.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal anecdotes and speculative ideas about the sperm market, without providing definitive conclusions or established facts regarding health risks or donor availability.

  • #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.