Trent Arsenault: The One-Man Sperm Bank
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 5:00AM
Anderson welcomes Trent Arsenault, a man who has made headlines for running a private, one-man, unregulated sperm bank from his home. Trent has donated close to 50 couples, helped conceive 14 children to date and has four more on the way. He is currently being investigated by the FDA, who wants to shut him down.
On the show, Trent explains who he donates his sperm to, which is free to couples.
"I donate to childless couples," says Trent. "So, it's either male/female or female domestic partners. I don't donate to single women."
"Do they sign some sort of a contract?" asks Anderson. "I have a contract that was drawn up," answers Trent. "It mentions things like child support and custody."
Trent explains he has relinquished all custody responsibility for the child and that the families can name the child and choose if the child should know about him in the future.
"And then, you get the sperm... which I think we all know how that works... and then you immediately give it to them? Or they call you up?" asks Anderson.
On how it works, Trent says, "I have it down to a science." He continues, "So sperm doesn't live much longer than an hour, so the sooner you have it, the better. So, what I do is, ahead of time they will be charting their fertility schedule (the women)... I will allow up to 2-3 days a month for improving the odds because there are others waiting."
Along with making headlines because of his unconventional sperm donation business, it also emerged in the press that Trent makes sexually explicit videos of himself. Anderson asks Trent about this...
"I coined this term 'donor sexual.' "It means 100% of my sexual energy is for producing sperm for childless couples to have babies, so I don't have other activity outside of that." Trent tells Anderson he does not have sex and has never had sex, saying, "I will probably be the 40-year-old virgin, except I'll have 15+ kids."
Also in the show, Anderson introducing Kristi and Tracy — who now have a daughter because of Trent's donation.
Kristi and Tracy explain why they went to Trent for a sperm donation...
On the show, Trent explains who he donates his sperm to, which is free to couples.
"I donate to childless couples," says Trent. "So, it's either male/female or female domestic partners. I don't donate to single women."
"Do they sign some sort of a contract?" asks Anderson. "I have a contract that was drawn up," answers Trent. "It mentions things like child support and custody."
Trent explains he has relinquished all custody responsibility for the child and that the families can name the child and choose if the child should know about him in the future.
"And then, you get the sperm... which I think we all know how that works... and then you immediately give it to them? Or they call you up?" asks Anderson.
On how it works, Trent says, "I have it down to a science." He continues, "So sperm doesn't live much longer than an hour, so the sooner you have it, the better. So, what I do is, ahead of time they will be charting their fertility schedule (the women)... I will allow up to 2-3 days a month for improving the odds because there are others waiting."
Along with making headlines because of his unconventional sperm donation business, it also emerged in the press that Trent makes sexually explicit videos of himself. Anderson asks Trent about this...
"I coined this term 'donor sexual.' "It means 100% of my sexual energy is for producing sperm for childless couples to have babies, so I don't have other activity outside of that." Trent tells Anderson he does not have sex and has never had sex, saying, "I will probably be the 40-year-old virgin, except I'll have 15+ kids."
Also in the show, Anderson introducing Kristi and Tracy — who now have a daughter because of Trent's donation.
Kristi and Tracy explain why they went to Trent for a sperm donation...
Community Question
Do you think Trent’s at-home sperm bank should be shut down? Does government have a right to intervene?
Join the conversation.
Filed Under: As Seen On The Show
Comments
What a giving person, better than paying thousands at a sperm bank. Way to go trent.
He seems to be dedicated to providing a service free of charge to those who wish to be parents. He is careful about the quality of his product and appears sincere. I am concerned that people who have ulterior motives might be using this service but I know that no one can protect the children from that.
In addition to Anderson's show I read an article about Trent in the Advocate. I have visted his web site where there are ample photos of Trent at every age. So no one can complain about not knowing what he looks like and what their child might look like. To make snide remarks about Trent's appearance is petty and childish. he looks the way he looks. If you don't like it don't conceive a child with his sperm but don't try to tell others what to do. In fact there is more public information about Trent available than any sperm bank would make available about their donors. I think it is as safe to use Trent's sperm and a lot cheaper than going to a sperm bank. I do worry about Trent's act of generousity causing problems in the future for Trent when some donor child tries to sue him for child support and the courts are not sympathetic. It would more likely be the donor child causing the problems than the child's parents who signed the contract with Trent. But that is another matter unrelated to his right to donate sperm for free.
Leave the guy alone - he is providing a great service to those who need it! More power to him!
I don't think this should be stopped. They are adults aware
of what they are doing. I think the government should keep their nose out of this. It is not anyone's business. It is a
thoughtful way for one person to help another even if people feel it is unconventional.
I am blessed to have a niece born 9 months ago thanks to Trent. She is extremely healthy, seems to show signs of high intelligence, and is absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I only wish my sister could have more babies with Trent's donations! To think this amazing child might not have ever been born because of lack of money! Again I am soooo grateful for his thoughtfulness!
I think you should have an unbiased psychologist analyze the background and true underlying motivations of this man and the people who get "donations" from him. In my opinion, it is disgusting. There are so many adoptable children in the US in foster care that need families.
'Just one reason I couldn't wait to move away from this area of CA-the poor children. It wasn't bad enough with an FDA approved sperm bank. America's already gone to Hell in a baby carriage.
Horrible.
Really people? This man is not attractive at all..your babies are not going to be adorable...just sayin! Has he been tested for disease? Wow, so amazed what people do, or dumb people do...
I am watching the show right now. I am a Registered Nurse so I understand all the consequences with the chance of disease and sterile process, ect.... And first hearing the subject matter, I was immediately taken a back, and thought that's CRAZY! But the more I have listened to his message, and the lengths he goes to insure that he keeps himself clear of any chance to contract an STD, and the honesty to his clients. And he really gets it, he understands the consequences that could come down the road at some point. I think it's amazing that he is a virgin and will remain a virgin for the safety for his recipients. There are not many people who would have respect for other people to go to such lengths. And that he doesn't have any financial motivation for doing what he does. And it is true that insemination with fresh sperm is the best possibility to conceive. And not having to be in a cold Physicians office environment helps with relaxing the person being inseminated, which also helps the odds that conception will occur. I THINK ITS AMAZING! GOOD FOR HIM. HE'S HELPING OUT A LOT OF FAMILIES WHO OTHER WISE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE A CHILD. HE SEEMS SO VERY SINCERE. HE IS ONE OF THE RARE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD, WHO TRULY WANT TO BRING HAPPINESS TO OTHERS AND GOOD TO THE WORLD. GOOD FOR YOU TRENT!!!!!!
I used donor sperm from a sperm bank and not only is it expensive but it is probably just as dangerous if you use Trent. If I lived closer I would use him too.. only I would ask if he could go to my doctor to give and have them do my insemination. Otherwise, I think it is a great option for infertile couples to be able to conceive. I really commend him for being so generous.
The only comments that upset me, offend me are the ones that use the term "bio father/bio mother". These people are donors! nothing more. I have a child from a donor egg and my husbands sperm. That is my child! pure and simple. My child has no "bio mother" other than myself. My donor did give me the most selfless gift I could imagine. But it was a egg. Just an egg. It was MY body that the embryo was transferred too, MY body that it implanted in. MY body that grew and nurished it. And finally, MY body that gave birth.
So, if you want to applaud that he donates, great. But, IMO, in no way is he "the bio father" of any of these children.
Oh, and I went to the Czech Republic for my cycle. And right or wrong, depending on how you look at it, only "beautiful" girls are picked to be donors (and all girls in the CR are beautiful).
The government needs to butt out. And the doctor expert is incorrect, I had my son 18 years ago, through UCD and it cost $10,000, very expensive, and that was 18 years ago. She stated it is so inexpensive, incorrect. I think it should be illegal for the Douger (sp) family to have any more kids, let the government investigate that. You go Trent...let Tracy and Kristi have a family, you go ladies...
I don't see anything wrong with it. My daughter's bio father came from a cryobank and she turns 18 this week. She has never had a problem with it. To help this along, I kept several journals for her from when I made my decision; how it was a family event and my family was supportive. The journals are fun to look back at. I just can't believe that she is going to be 18 this weeks. She is the joy of my life!
The FDA? What a joke!!! All their concerned about is making MONEY!!! That's what I think! They approve drugs that dont cure any sickness they just treat the symptoms and keep people buying more and more. Drug companies have them in their pockets! They need to stop worrying about what honest people do in their private lives and actually start trying to find cures for sickness and diseases!!
This guy needs to be stopped! He does not have 15+ kids, he donated his sperm to help a couple(s) have their dream of having a child. His comment about "being the bio father" irratated me to say the least! He is NOTHING to these children!! My husband and I went to the Czech Republic for a donor egg IVF cycle, for the lower cost of the proceedure and it was anonymous. My child has only one mother ME. While I will be forever grateful for the gift my donor gave my husband and I, she is nothing to my child.
This man MUST BE STOPPED!! he is making donation a mockery and giving the gift of egg/sperm donation a "bad name."