Those hoping to work with a gestational surrogate to grow their families often have specific expectations for their future children. If they use a sperm donor to fertilize large gametes, possibly from a donor or one of the aspiring parents, then selecting the donor based on certain characteristics is a common practice.
Aspiring parents often scrutinize donor profiles intensely. What personal features may make a sperm donor more attractive to prospective parents and therefore more in demand?
A family history of health
Obviously, screening for the possibility of major genetic disorders is important. Beyond that, people may want to know about any family histories of cancer or the average lifespan of an individual’s parents and grandparents. They may also prioritize younger donors, as sperm quality tends to degrade over time.
Intelligence and professional success
A sperm donor who has achieved a degree of professional success already or who has demonstrated a history of academic success is likely to appeal to more people than those who have struggled professionally and academically.
Unique genetic traits
In many cases, couples might select a sperm donor based on his height or overall attractiveness. Other times, certain recessive traits, such as unique eye color, red hair or even attached earlobes, could be important to parents, as they want the children to share certain traits with their families.
Sperm donors who have certain features and traits may find that they are more in demand. They could potentially monetize the features that families find the most appealing.
Understanding what parents pursuing assisted reproduction look for in a sperm donor can be beneficial for those thinking about donating gametes. Unique features, health, youth and intelligence often top the list of the most attractive traits in a sperm donor.