Is donated sperm just another product?

Is donated sperm just another product?
New Scientist 10 April 2009

BRITTANY DONOVAN was born 13 years ago in Pennsylvania. Her biological father was sperm donor G738. Unbeknownst to Brittany's mother, G738 carried a genetic defect known as fragile X - a mutation that all female children born from his sperm will inherit, and which causes mental impairment, behavioural problems and atypical social development.
Last week, Brittany was given the green light to sue the sperm bank, Idant Laboratories of New York, under the state's product liability laws (see "Sperm bank sued for 'unsafe' sperm"). These laws were designed to allow consumers to seek compensation from companies whose products are defective and cause harm. Nobody expected them to be applied to donor sperm.
Thousands of people in the US have purchased sperm from sperm banks on the promise that the donor's history has been carefully scrutinised and his sample rigorously tested, only for some of them to discover that they have been sold a batch of bad seed. Some parents learn about genetic anomalies after their disabled child is born and they press the sperm bank for more information. Others realise when they contact biological half-siblings who have the same disorder.