Men living with HIV are finding new hope of creating biological families with their own sperm through a new program created by the California-based Growing Generations, which provides surrogates and egg donation services to HIV-positive men.
Recent technological advances have made testing semen for the HIV virus viable. Along with the implementation of California legislation that allows the use of semen from someone with HIV for assisted reproduction, Growing Generations, the nation's largest surrogacy agency, has been able to launch the groundbreaking new program.
"We are pleased that science and legislation have come together to provide a safe and reasonable approach on this issue," Growing Generations President Gail Taylor said. "As we have been since our founding in 1996, we are committed to assisting individuals who have not always been embraced by the mainstream in creating loving homes for very wanted children. This includes gay men, single parents and now people with HIV."
Participants in Growing Generations' new program go through the same process as other clients with the addition of an extensive screening and preparation process for the sperm. According to the organization, many men with HIV show no material trace of the virus in their semen.
“We have known for many years that with proper medication and care, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives," Taylor added. "Now, they can also make what is the ultimate life choice for many people and create their own biologically connected family."
So far, Growing Generations has five cases of men with HIV working with egg donors and surrogates, and expects the number to grow as more people become aware of the availability of the service.
