Genetic material donation: sperm, oocyte, pre-embryo.

Genetic material donation has become an integral part of the management of infertility. Sperm, oocyte and pre-embryo donation are medical and technical successful procedures, undertaken to deliberately procure the creation of a child. By application of the modern assisted reproductive technologies (ART), it is the adult's interests which are upheld. This does not necessarily imply that those interests apply also to the resulting offspring. Therefore, practice of genetic material donation raises ethical, legal, religious and social issues, which are discussed. The practice of gametes and pre-embryo donation is opposed by the main religions. The medical problems are related mainly to selection of donors, evaluation of recipients and quality control of the genetic material. The relationship between the biological and social parents and safeguarding the interest of the offspring, may be resolved by legislation pertaining to the individual country. Sperm and pre-embryo banks should be subjected to licensing and should not be run by a commercial system. The donated genetic material should not be used to extend the natural reproductive life span. By practicing sperm, oocyte and pre-embryo donation the medical profession and society should consider not only the interests of the infertile couple but the interests of the offspring as well.