OTTAWA – Further to an earlier Information Update, Health Canada is reminding Canadians of the serious potential health risks of using donor semen for assisted conception obtained through potentially unreliable sources, such as the Internet.
Donor semen obtained through questionable means, such as through transactions arranged via the Internet, may not have been appropriately screened and tested, and therefore may not be safe. For example, it could pass on a range of infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B or C, Syphilis, Chlamydia, or Gonorrhoea to both mother and any child born through the use of donor semen.
There are strict controls in place for obtaining donor semen to protect the health and safety of Canadians and minimize the potential risk of transmitting serious infectious diseases. Canadians who are considering using donor semen for assisted conception should consult their health care professional.