Sperm Donation Bill, 5785-2025

This bill seeks to regulate sperm donation in Israel for both reproductive and research purposes. The law aims to establish clear rules regarding who may donate sperm, how the donation process is conducted, who may receive a sperm donation, and how information related to donors and recipients must be managed. Key definitions: Sperm bank: A repository of frozen sperm intended for research or insemination, holding a permit from the Director (Director General of the Ministry of Health). Donor: A man willing to donate sperm for the purpose of insemination in a woman. Recipient: A woman requesting insemination with donated sperm. Insemination: The process of introducing donated sperm into a woman's body. Authorized trustee: A physician with authority granted by the Director. Committee: A committee that will deliberate on requests for the destruction of sperm or continued storage. Main rules: Sperm donation: Sperm donation for reproduction shall be carried out only in accordance with the provisions of this law. A sperm bank may operate only after receiving a permit from the Director, provided that the hospital in which it operates has received a permit. The Director shall grant a permit to a sperm bank if conditions are met, including: a request from the hospital, presentation of required documents, proof of appropriate infrastructure, a secure registry management system, and the appointment of a sperm bank manager with appropriate qualifications (a specialist in urology or gynecology). The Director may revoke, limit, or suspend a sperm bank permit if permit conditions are violated, if the permit holder acted negligently, or if the conditions for granting the permit no longer exist. A sperm bank shall be managed by a sperm bank manager, and its operations shall be performed by them or by someone authorized to do so. In every hospital where a sperm bank operates, a sperm bank manager shall be appointed, as well as a three-member committee (the sperm bank manager, an attorney, and a physician specializing in obstetrics or gynecology). Sperm donation for insemination: A sperm bank shall accept a sperm donation for insemination only if all the following conditions are met: the donor has given written consent; confirmation has been received from the National Registry Center that the donor has not made more than ten donations; the donor has filled out a donor card and undergone sperm tests, a physical examination, and an HIV antibody test; the sperm quality is normal; and the donor is not a minor (except in special cases). Donated sperm shall be identified in a manner that allows for its tracking until its destruction or allocation for research. Insemination: Insemination shall be performed only in the following institutions: a hospital, a clinic (excluding a private clinic), or a unit/department within the Ministry of Health authorized for this purpose. Insemination shall be performed only by a treating physician. Insemination shall be performed only if all the following conditions are met: the recipient is an adult and under 54 years of age; confirmation has been given by an authorized trustee that the donor is not a relative of the recipient; the recipient has given informed consent; the recipient will fill out an application form and provide details about her relatives; and the treating physician will provide a detailed explanation to the recipient (and her partner, if applicable) regarding the procedure, risks, and legal implications. It is prohibited to use a mixture of sperm from multiple donors for a single insemination. Allocation of donated sperm: Donated sperm shall be transferred from a sperm bank to the institutions listed in the law. A request to receive sperm for insemination shall include the recipient's consent form. The physician performing the insemination shall report the results of the insemination to the sperm bank.

Source: הצעת חוק לדיון מוקדם