Is there an ethical problem with the idea of sperm banks?
- Anonymity vs non-anonymity: does a child have a right to know who their biological parent is? Is it ethical to donate, create offspring, and remain anonymous? Some family predispositions to certain health issues aren't fully understood (I didn't realize my family had a predisposition to dementia until just a couple years ago when my grandparents started nearing end of life), these genetic anomalies aren't always known at time of donation, and thus won't be handed over to the offspring. Another issue, some sperm banks send out cease and desists when the children attempt to track down the biological father. (Thanks 23andme!) Is it ethical for a sperm bank to threaten legal ramifications on people who attempt to contact their biological father?
- Age restrictions: We don't currently fully understand the effect of male age on creating children. Some studies suggest that there is a higher rate of autism, but this is only just now coming to light. Many sperm banks don't have much on age restrictions.
- Number of donor offspring: Is it ethical to allow numerous offspring from one sample? There are cases where a single male has fathered over 100 children, way way more than any normal male.
- Are sperm banks a form of eugenics? Sperm banks have differing policies on the acceptance of "Acceptable" sperm; e.g. certain height, low obesity propensity, college background, etc. If a sperm bank offers the top 1% genetic material, and people can pay to have elite genetic children, is this ethical?
It would be worth mentioning the underlying reasons for these views in such an article.
Allow me to be blunt (at the risk of getting downvoted): Does jerking off and selling your cum to strange women raise ethical issues? I think the question answers itself.
I agree, cum should be free. Eggs I can see paying for because the supply is limited, but things like blood or semen should be free.