Soldiers want sperm frozen

2006-08-08 23:45

Jerusalem - The violence of the war between Israel and Hezbollah is prompting a growing number of Israeli troops to ask for their sperm to be frozen before going to combat, a family rights organisation told AFP on Tuesday.

"This is a completely new phenomenon... Soldiers are coming to us because they are afraid of dying in combat and they want to freeze their sperm," said Irit Rosenblum of the New Family organisation.

She said at least 30 soldiers - mainly reservists - had turned to the organisation asking if they could have their sperm frozen in order to allow their families to give them offspring should they be killed in action.

Sperm banks exist in Israel, but donors must remain anonymous and Rosenblum is campaigning for the adoption of the biological will law - a bill she drafted to establish a sperm bank for soldiers as soon as they enlist.

"The moment the state asks you to risk your life in combat, it's the state's obligation to give you the possibility of freezing your sperm," Rosenblum argued.

Trend started in US

The trend of freezing sperm before heading to the front lines started in the United States when the US-led coalition readied for the invasion of Iraq.

New Family has an ongoing case with the Israeli state following the request by the parents of a soldier who was killed in the Gaza Strip in 2002 for his sperm to be frozen after his death.

"We found a woman who wants to carry his child... I think we are going to win this case, this will be unique, the first time such a thing happens in the world," Rosenblum said.

Sperm cells can be collected from a deceased man up to 72 hours after his death, she said.

At least 63 Israeli troops have been killed in attacks by Hezbollah fighters since a massive offensive was launched following the July 12 capture of two Israeli soldiers.

- AFP