A thorough evaluation of underlying motives for a decision by patients to make use of artificial insemination by a donor as a possible solution for the problem of involuntary childlessness as result of the male factor, should be a necessary prerequisite for the use of this procedure. In such a situation, an external factor (semen of an anonymous donor) is introduced to a complex dyadic system which is particularly susceptible to emotional stress. The implications of various less conspicuous but extremely important motives in the behaviour of such patients are stressed.
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