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251: OBTAINING SEMEN FOR
MEDICAL TESTING

ɳ Question

In this siman we shall discuss Professor A. Czechnover’s second ques-
tion regarding artificial insemination:

What is the halachah in regard to donating sperm, since the sperm
is not obtained through intercourse but by masturbation? Does this
violate the prohibition of emitting semen for naught or do we say
that since the purpose of the emission is to fertilize an ovum it is not
prohibited?

ɳ Response

The same question arises in regard to emitting semen for medical
testing [of the number and motility of the sperm]. For example, if a
couple still has no children after a number of years of marriage it is
accepted in medical circles that the first step is to test the fertility of
the husband’s sperm. This raises the following questions:

1. Is it permitted to emit semen for the purpose of testing?
2. If we conclude that it is permitted, is this limited to obtaining
the semen through an act of intercourse by collecting it in a condom
or may it even be obtained through masturbation?

10 1 Medical-Halachic Responsa of Rav Zilberstein