Dr Kevin Smith, from Abertay University in Dundee, says sperm-banking on the NHS should “become the norm” because sperm becomes more prone to errors with age, increasing the risk of autism, schizophrenia and other disorders. He also says that artificial insemination should become the normal way for procreation and that we should have a “whole scale move away from natural conception”.
My view on this is very different and in my role as Chair of the British Fertility Society I have been discussing this in the media today. I believe such a move would provide a very artificial approach to having babies. Procreation shouldn’t be taken out of the bedroom and into the test-tube unless there are defined fertility problems.
There should be a greater focus in the UK on supporting young couples to establish their careers and relationships and be supported in having children at a young age before the natural decline in both female and male fertility.
There is a need for better education of youngsters so that they are informed about the implications of delaying starting a family and at the same time improved societal support for working mothers and fathers with better childcare facilities to enable couples to establish careers and families.
