Sperm banks offer a unique level of reproductive freedom to single women and couples, by providing a tremendous amount of choice when it comes to decisions about having children. This brief article addresses some important facts about sperm banks and the role they play in modern reproductive technology. Sperm banking is a not a new technology. Although they are increasing in popularity in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world, sperm banks have been around for almost half a century. Donor sperm is utilized by both single women and couples. Sperm banks are widely utilized by infertile couples as well as single women and women in lesbian relationships. Some statistics indicate that as many as one in eight infertile couples require the use of donor sperm to conceive.

Dozens of sperm banks across the country are recruiting men to help them build up a supply of frozen sperm to meet the growing demand from women looking to start families. But the bar is lower for members of ethnic groups that tend to be shorter. And given a perpetual lack of African-American donors, height may not be a disqualifier for black donors.

Freeman, V. Jadva, E. Tranfield, S. What are the demographic characteristics, motivations, preferences and experiences of heterosexual, gay and bisexual sperm donors on a connection website i.