Ethics Consult: Harvest Dead Man's Sperm?

— You make the call

A computer rendering of artificial insemination showing a sperm being injected into an egg via a needle


Tragedy struck a newly engaged couple in their mid-30s when the man was killed in a bicycle accident.

He had instructions to donate his organs. However, before his organs were removed, his fiancee requested that doctors retrieve the dead man's sperm for in vitro fertilization. She claimed that they were planning on starting a family, and his wishes were to have two children after they were married. The dead man's only living relative, his uncle, objected to posthumous sperm procurement, citing religious reasons.

The decision had to be made quickly, so the fiancee sought an emergency court order.

Based on the case of Peter Zhu.

See the results and what an ethics expert has to say.


And check out some of our past Ethics Consult cases: Let Suicidal Cancer Patient Be Duped Into Taking Meds?, Hiding Dx From Elderly Cancer Patient? MD/JD Bangs the Gavel, and Euthanize Resistant Dementia Patient?

Last Updated March 13, 2020