The process of selling sperm provides material for television
sitcoms and movies, but not many men seriously consider signing
up. However, being a sperm donor can provide a decent
paycheck for the time you'll invest. Sperm banks prefer donors
who commit to several visits weekly for six months, and they
typically pay $50 or more for each visit. That can add up over
the weeks, and the process is quick once you filled out all the
paperwork and qualified.
On the other hand, that qualification process can be a problem,
so even if you want this job, it might be difficult to get. You
generally have to be between 18 and 40 years old and, besides
being outside of that 22-year window of opportunity, there are
many other things that will disqualify you. You might not have
enough education, for example, which is apparently seen as a
sign of potentially deficient DNA. In fact, at many sperm banks,
95% of applicants are rejected. Some of the requirements are
listed below.
If you're accepted you can rest assured that you are providing
a valuable service. According to the website FindaFertilityClinic.com, by the year 2015 a
third of all couples could require help conceiving a child. This
is in part because men are producing less sperm. The average
sperm count in men in England dropped by almost 50% in the last
couple generations, and lower sperm counts have been reported
in the U.S. and other countries as well.
As for what you'll have to do to sell sperm, well, it starts
with an extensive questionnaire. You have to reveal quite a bit
about your health, the medical history of your family members,
your educational achievements and more. For a good idea of what's
involved, read the personal-experience article linked to in the
resources section below, and take the time to watch this video...
How Much Can You Make?
From a quick survey of clinics at the time this article was
written, it appears that $50 per viable specimen is the minimum
rate now, with some fertility clinics paying substantially more.
David Plotz, in his account of his experience as a sperm donor
(see the resource section below), says he was paid $50 per usable
specimen and another $5 for each vial from the specimen, with
about 10 to 14 vials used on average. Then, when vials were released
from quarantine after six months there was another payment of
$5 each. The average payment per deposit was $209 at the facility
he went to. They paid twice monthly and sent a 1099 form at the
end of the year.
Let's do the math... If a sperm bank asks for three donations
weekly with a six month commitment, and has an average payment
of $100 per deposit (less than half of what Plotz was paid),
you would make a total of $7,800 for your part-time work during
those six months.
Ways to Make More | Related Opportunities
| Tips
If you live close to more than one sperm bank you can simply
find out which pays the most and try that one first (assuming
your application is accepted).
Qualifications / Requirements
Some places require donors to be between the ages of 18 to
35, while others extend that to 40-years-old. You have to be
in excellent health. You will be filling out forms detailing
extensive information about any medical issues in your family,
including any history of mental illness in close relations. There
will be a blood test and semen analysis. Follow-up exams are
generally required every three to six months if you continue
to donate.
First Steps
Check out a directory of sperm banks to find one near you
and fill out an application. You can also look in the yellow
pages or google "sperm bank" or "cryobank"
along with the name of your city or the nearest large city.
Resource
The Genius Factory - An article by David Plotz,
on his experience as a sperm donor.
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