ULTIMATE GIFT GRANDAD GIVES SON’S FATHERHOOD DREAM HOPE
Man aiming to help his son achieve his parenthood dream
ANew Zealand man’s dream of becoming a father has been given hope after a heartwarming gift from his own dad.
In a case that experts have revealed is very rare, a fertility clinic has successfully lobbied health officials, on behalf of the son and his wife, for permission for the man’s father to donate sperm.
The couple require a donation to have IVF treatment because of the man’s inability to produce sperm.
If IVF is successful, the paternal grandfather will also be the baby’s biological father.
Data released by Fertility New Zealand reveals that of the one in four Kiwi couples who face fertility problems, between 30-50 per cent were related to male issues.
The grandfather’s case was put to the Ministry of Health’s Ethics Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (Ecart), and the minutes of the meeting show the body was
They intend to tell the child that his or her social grandfather is also biological father. Ecart minutes
told: “Being able to have a child who is genetically related to both of the recipients is important to them.”
The committee agreed the father donating to his son should not be a barrier to approving the application.
“The donor, while a biological father, will be involved in the child’s life as a social grandfather.”
The couple plan to tell the child its biological origins: “They intend to tell the child that his or her social grandfather is also biological father.”
The committee considers, determines and monitors applications made by fertility clinics for a range of assisted reproductive procedures and human reproductive research.
Procedures that need Ecart approval include clinic-assisted surrogacy, donation of eggs or sperm between certain family members, and embryo donation for reproductive purposes.
Fertility Associates clinician and chairwoman Dr Mary Birdsall told the Herald on Sunday: “As long as you look at it from a purely genetic level, it makes a lot of sense . . . your father has 50 per cent of your genes. Often there is a desire to look within families.”
Birdsall — who is also a member of the Ecart committee — couldn’t talk specifically about the most recent case, but she could remember “a small number” of previous father to son donations.
“They aren’t particularly common, but they certainly exist.”
Committee chairwoman Iris Reuvecamp said that although the case wasn’t a “one-off”, it was a rarity. “It allows for people to pass on their
genetic material within their family.”
Reuvecamp said Ecart considered the principles and guidelines in the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004, which include the importance of the health and wellbeing of children; promoting and preserving human health, safety and dignity of present and future generations; the importance of informed consent, and the awareness of, and accessibility to, information about a child’s genetic origins.
Other principles include the “respect and consideration” for Ma¯ori needs, values and beliefs, and ethical, spiritual and culture perspectives.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said eight to 10 applications relating to sperm or egg donations between family members are made every year, and most are approved.
The spokesperson added the case of a father’s sperm donation to his son and his wife was “not common”.
Reasons for infertility can include obesity, low or zero sperm, cigarette or marijuana smoking, medications, issues reversing vasectomies and illnesses such as mumps.
Up to 40 per cent of women who had problems with their fertility levels were affected by issues such as tubal problems, endometriosis, disorders of ovulation and autoimmune disorders.
Up to 20 per cent of couples will have unexplained infertility problems.