The increase in severe sexually transmitted disease in the general population has made this a paramount consideration in artificial insemination. Virtually any venereal disease can be transmitted by fresh or processed semen. There have been cases of infection with HIV through artificial insemination. In such a case, there could be costly suits on behalf of the infected woman and on behalf of the baby if it is also infected.

There are medical standards for screening donors and treating specimens to prevent the spread of disease, and these should be followed carefully. The current recommendation on HIV control requires that the donor be tested for HIV when the semen is collected. The semen is then frozen for six months. The donor is tested again at the end of the six months. Only after this second test is negative can the semen be used. [ACOG Committee Opinion 109. Maximizing Pregnancy Rates Resulting from Donor Insemination with Frozen Semen. April 1992.]