Screening
The donors are ordinary, physically and mentally healthy men from a broad cross section of society. Most of them are students from institutions of higher education. Each donor candidate meets rigorous selection criteria and undergoes a thorough examination prior to acceptance. The donors receive a small remuneration, but it is our belief that they are genuine in their desire to help others.
Donors are fully informed of the purpose of being a donor. The donors sign a contract declaring that they do not belong to any risk groups or have had any risky behaviour related to exposure to HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Donors renounce all paternal rights and responsibilities. The donors are given explicit assurance of anonymity.
As Cryos is supplying donor semen to many countries and as different countries have different approval procedures for donors and semen, Cryos operate with different Release Standards. Donors are tested and approved according to at least one Release Standard, but often more. For instance:
The Danish Health Authority Guideline 2006.
The EU Tissue Directive 2004/23
FDA rules - 21 CFR Part 1271, USA
New York State Department of Health, Part 52.
The most common medical examinations included in the Release Standards are:
Sexual transmitted diseases:
- HIV 1 and -2
- HTLV-I and –II
- Hepatitis B & C
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- CMV*
Genetic conditions:
- Extensive questionnaire
- Clinical examination including anamnesis and at least 3 generation family history
- Blood typing (AB0 + Rh)
- Chromosome analysis
- Sickle cell disease**
- Thalassemia**
- Tay-Sachs disease**
- Cystic fibrosis**
- Canavan disease**
- Gaucher disease**
- Niemann-Pick disease**
- Fanconi anemia**
* Only UK and USA
** If increased risk of being a carrier
Cryos International - Denmark are licensed according to the EU Tissue Directive.
Cryos International - Denmark are licensed in New York State