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Peter 14.7

Peter 14.7

[I]Erection campaign's a flop
By Darren Gray and Farrah Tomazin
January 15, 2005

Victoria's MPs are not responding to a leading IVF specialist's request for them to donate sperm to help infertile couples have children.

The national medical director of Monash IVF, Gab Kovacs, this week sent letters to the state's under-45 male MPs asking them to help ease a donor shortage.

Professor Kovacs said MPs were community role models and if they donated "others may follow". Monash IVF now has just 13 sperm donors.

But acting Premier John Thwaites, 49, said: "I haven't been offered a place. I feel like I'm discriminated against on the grounds of my age, which does concern me.

"I think some of the great people in history have had children at a much older age than I have . . . I'm not saying I would, (but) I'd like the offer though."

Asked if he were concerned that younger colleagues had been chosen, he said: "I don't know if it concerns me; it might concern some of the recipients, but that's a matter for them."

Opposition prisons spokesman Richard Dalla-Riva said he was satisfied with his population contribution - three sons.

"Politicians do a lot of volunteer work. I just question whether this is volunteer work we need to be involved in," he said.

Agriculture Minister Bob Cameron said: "As Agriculture Minister, I support artificial insemination, but in this particular circumstance, I'm unable to assist."[/I]
 
I think you guys are terribly hard, not to mention uneducated in this important area. There is in genetics as in everything else a tendency toawards the mean. That menas that two tall parents are likely to give birth to a child shorter than they are (although you couldn't prove that one by my younger brother and his wife).

Two little johnnies (one female and let's not go there) would have more of an average son (daughters would probably be exposed on the hilltops) than a long eyebrowed, miserable looking...

Let me try again. John's offspring are likely to look pretty much mainstream Australian.
 
quiggles said:
I think you guys are terribly hard, not to mention uneducated in this important area. There is in genetics as in everything else a tendency toawards the mean. That menas that two tall parents are likely to give birth to a child shorter than they are (although you couldn't prove that one by my younger brother and his wife).

Two little johnnies (one female and let's not go there) would have more of an average son (daughters would probably be exposed on the hilltops) than a long eyebrowed, miserable looking...

Let me try again. John's offspring are likely to look pretty much mainstream Australian.
Click to expand...

Leaving aside the "uneducated in genetics" reproach :rolleyes:, I thought I might comment.

My real concern would be based on the age old discussion of nature vs. nurture - if you were based in the camp says such intrinsic qualities as honesty, integrity and responsibility were genetic, then perhaps a politician might not be the best frozen pop-sicle for you :)

Jamie.
 
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Hi All

I am glad everyone has enjoyed my thread. :)

On a serious note , it has reminded me that I should consider sperm donation.

Being an adoptee and childless I feel I should help out those in need of a child.

Any comments for or against? :confused:

Or don't go there? :eek:

Peter 147
 
Peter go for it!

You're good person and an intelligent investor, astute, aware and alert.

The world always needs more stutes, wares & lerts!

Cheers,

Aceyducey
 
I've occasionally read the ads in the back of Melbourne's Child from couples seeking an egg donor, and considered helping out.
Nowadays though I've passed the cutoff mark and am considered too old. :(
 
Lissy said:
I've occasionally read the ads in the back of Melbourne's Child from couples seeking an egg donor, and considered helping out.
Nowadays though I've passed the cutoff mark and am considered too old. :(
Click to expand...
Lissy

If you donated an egg, you'd have to wrap it!
 
My daughter has worked at an IVF clinic for some years now - the tales we have heard from within the sprem bank :eek: Obviously no names are ever mentioned :cool:
:eek:

House Proud
 
Peter
It's an interesting question you pose......whether or not to donate would depend on how you perceive your sperm (no puns pls). :)

Since your offspring will be contacting you when they're 18 (assuming they're told about the IVF) would you or your wife be concerned about that? Or do you consider your sperm to be just a donation of cells and you'll have no emotional commitment to the outcome?

I feel for those couples that can't conceive - a friend of the family managed to have a beautiful baby because somebody was thoughtfull enough to donate sperm - and we need more tax payers.

That's a thought - maybe John Howard should offer tax rebates for those that donate eggs and sperm since you will be helping to produce tax payers! :D
 
Peter 147 said:
Victoria's MPs are not responding to a leading IVF specialist's request for them to donate sperm to help infertile couples have children.
Click to expand...
I've just realised.

It's all a scam.

By asking politicians for their sperm, they're cutting down the pollies' chances of reproducing.

What a pity that there wasn't a better response.
 
Ecogirl said:
Peter
It's an interesting question you pose......whether or not to donate would depend on how you perceive your sperm (no puns pls). :)

Since your offspring will be contacting you when they're 18 (assuming they're told about the IVF) would you or your wife be concerned about that? Or do you consider your sperm to be just a donation of cells and you'll have no emotional commitment to the outcome?

I feel for those couples that can't conceive - a friend of the family managed to have a beautiful baby because somebody was thoughtfull enough to donate sperm - and we need more tax payers.

That's a thought - maybe John Howard should offer tax rebates for those that donate eggs and sperm since you will be helping to produce tax payers! :D
Click to expand...


Hi Ecogirl

Not surprised you have commented on a social question. Your input is always welcome and considered.

What about the repercussions? Good Question. :confused:

I have discussed donation with Mrs 147 and she is supportive. As I understand it, like adoption, the bio father and the child have no legal connection only biological and emotional, if they wish.

Ironically I am going through the question of emotional contact at this very moment with my birth mother, whom I have only recently contacted after 38 years. It is (surprisingly) very powerful emotionally despite our early days and having not even spoken yet. But again I am coping and the support structure/rules in Gov ensure contact is balanced and considered.

So we are taking it very slow and in my case her husband was aware of me so the impact on her world is less. So I guess, if I donate the question is, can I accept someone could knock on my door in 18 years time and say “Hi, you’re my dad” I think I can cope with that.

Why am I interested? Being adopted and childless, is why I am considering it.

I believe strongly in providing choice.

The 147’s have decided not to have children. We like kids but simply don’t have the emotional urge. But if I am healthy and can have them, do I have the right to deny others who want kids that choice?

As an adoptee I could easily have not existed but my birth mother also posed the above question (varied I accept) and her I am. So I feel I have an obligation to help others to exist?

And as Acey put, (partly in jest) I am not a complete dofus, so I guess my genes would be of value to some couple looking for blue eyes, blonde hair and the tendency to waffle. :D

Lastly, I know the joy my mother felt having adopted me, my brother and sister after many miscarriages. She said she cried for an hour whilst holding me (I am the eldest) on the drive home.

So I guess it time to email the relevant gov dept and find out more.

Peter 147
 
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