News: Don’t buy your sperm on eBay

If there’s one thing that you shouldn’t buy on the Internet this holiday season, it’s sperm. It may sound like common sense, but Health Canada has issued a formal warning about the unregulated trade of "fresh" semen online, reports the CBC.

According to a Health Canada news release, donor semen is considered a drug‘”and as such, the distribution, processing and importation of donor semen must be conducted as per all applicable sections of the Food and Drugs Act and the Semen Regulations.”

Health Canada stresses that these laws and regulations are in place to protect women (and children) from the potential of infectious diseases. For this reason, donors must undergo a strict screening process, and semen used for assisted conception is processed and quarantined for six months. Semen from Internet sources, however, has not undergone the same rigorous testing and may not meet Canadian health standards.

For those who do require semen for conception purposes, it is always recommended to speak with a healthcare professional first, as they may be able to recommend a Canadian processor or importer that meets government standards. Because really, when it comes to starting a family, why take unnecessary risks?

What is the strangest thing you’ve ever bought online?

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