Banking On Sperm

Europe's patchwork of rules for sperm donation has allowed a Danish firm to rule the market

It came to him in a dream. Ole Schou was a young Danish business student when he awoke one morning two decades ago with images of spermatozoa swimming in his head. Schou's strange nocturnal vision gave rise to an obsession. "Some people collect stamps; others play golf," he explains. "I studied sperm." With no scientific or medical training, Schou set out to make himself an expert, poring over the scientific literature and consulting specialists about different methods for freezing sperm. His goal: to establish "the best sperm bank in the world."

Schou's single-minded devotion has paid off. Cryos, the company he...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!