Seed Central

Forget about flowers, shared values, or love. Sometimes what you really want from a partner is their genetic profile. And the Web—long known for bringing people together—is taking the concept of mating to the next level.

Think of it as a well-aimed release of semen. Utilizing the Internet’s highly focused and continually updated info flow, California Cryobank, Inc. has taken much of the guesswork out of searching for a male. Its Web-based “Donor Power Search” provides an easily accessed database of its donors’ physical and social attributes, linking prospective insemination clients to what it claims is the largest and most diverse group of men to ever come on the scene.

Are you looking for an African-American sperm donor? According to CFO Kaj Rydman, blacks are the rarest donor demographic, and California Cryrobank has the best selection in the United States (The competition must not be rough. There are only eight African-American donors listed.)

Whether your taste leans towards an Asian, Caucasian, or just someone who works in aviation you can pick your ideal donor’s height, weight, occupation—even his skin tone—with just a click of a mouse. You can even see the form donors have filled out—messy handwriting and all.

Cyrobank says it prides itself on its diverse genetic offerings.

“Offering a wide variety of ethnicities is important to us,” says Marla Eby, spokesperson for Cyrobank. “After all, we’re trying to help people have families.”

Indeed, they feature donors from so many ethnic categories that the search page offers a handy “Ethnic Origin Key.”

So, when all is said and done, who do customers consider the ideal donor? According to Eby, a composite would look something a bit like Dolph Lundgren:, “over six feet tall, with blond hair and blue eyes.”

Keep in mind, you can’t buy sperm directly online. You need a doctor’s authorization before you can get the little vials shipped to your home. But, then again, no harm in window shopping.