Brainy babies: Danish sperm bank introduces IQ testing for donors

The Danish sperm bank Donor Network is raising the bar in the fertility industry. As the first in Europe, the company now includes IQ screening as part of its donor selection process – a move attracting attention in the UK, where Danish sperm already dominates the market.

Up to 80 percent of a child’s IQ is inherited genetically. Donor Network is the first sperm bank in Europe to introduce IQ screening for all donors. Denmark is one of the largest suppliers of sperm to the UK, with more than one in five imported donors coming from Denmark. The new screening results are available to British clients alongside each donor’s health history, family background, and physical traits.

– IQ screening is a major attraction. We’ve tapped into a clear gap in the market, particularly as British demand continues to rise. For anyone undergoing fertility treatment, the choice of donor isn’t a small detail – it’s a crucial decision, says Jakob Schöllhammer Knudsen, founder and CEO of Donor Network.

Around 90 percent of all Danish donor sperm is exported abroad, and the market for fertility storage is growing rapidly. By 2030, the Danish market alone is expected to reach around DKK 1 billion.

– Danish donors are highly sought after – both for their quality and for certain physical traits. Denmark also has a strong international reputation in fertility treatment, which British clients are well aware of. This makes access to Danish sperm straightforward and convenient for clinics and families in the UK, explains Jakob Schöllhammer Knudsen.

A sensitive and emotional process

For many couples and single women, choosing a donor is a deeply personal journey. Eleanor Mills-Hicks and Zoe Stock from Devon are among those preparing for treatment at London Women’s Clinic, after carefully selecting their donor through Donor Network.

– Choosing a donor takes time. The options are endless, and it’s incredibly important to find the right match. We reviewed many sperm banks and countless donor profiles. When we found our donor through Donor Network, everything just felt right, says Zoe Stock.

– It’s an emotional process, but from the very first moment, we felt seen and listened to. There are cultural differences between Denmark and the UK, but we were met with warmth and transparency. Knowing that the donor’s IQ is tested gives us confidence that everything possible has been done to ensure both health and personality, she adds.

IQ screening – the next step for the industry

Since 2005, anonymous sperm donation has been banned in the UK. In Denmark, anonymous profiles are still permitted, but Donor Network has chosen to priorities open donor profiles to ensure greater transparency and trust.

– We want to set the highest standards in the industry – and that means screening donors on as many levels as possible. IQ testing takes us one step further and helps families feel secure in their choice,says Jakob Schöllhammer Knudsen.

– Most clients are surprised to learn that IQ screening isn’t standard practice across all sperm banks. That clearly shows a need. For the same reason, we’ve also introduced a clean criminal record requirement for all donors. It’s the natural next step when your goal is to help people fulfil their dream of having a healthy child with strong genetic foundations.

For Eleanor Mills-Hicks and Zoe Stock, the process has been an eye-opener – helping them discover what truly matters to them when choosing a donor.

– I didn’t think it would matter to me whether the donor was open or anonymous. But when I saw the profiles at Donor Network, I realised it does. It means something that the donor has chosen to be open and to accept that the children may contact him in the future, says Eleanor Mills-Hicks.