donor conceived people

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Donor conceived people are born via the donation of sperm, ova or both, either from two separate donors or from a couple, as is the case with embryo donation.

Donor conceived people may never learn of their true birth origins as information about their true biological parent(s) is not recorded on the birth certificate. This is compounded by the fact that only a small proportion (av. 10%) of donor conceived people will ever be informed of the nature of their conception by the recipient parent(s). Donor conceived people may have many half siblings as a result of the same person's donations.

There is a very successful web-based registry called the Donor Sibling Registry ([http://www.donorsiblingregistry.com) which has helped to facilitate more than 3,900 matches between people who share genetic ties -- offspring, half-siblings and donors -- through the unique donor identity numbers assigned by the sperm banks to the donors. Meetings between donors and their offspring and between half-siblings have in general been extremely successful and are becoming increasingly common occurrences.

However, even sperm donors who have not initiated contact through a registry are now increasingly being traced by their offspring. In the current era there can be no such thing as guaranteed anonymity. Through the advent of DNA testing and internet access to extensive databases of information, one sperm donor has recently been traced. In 2005 it was revealed (11/3/05 New Scientist Magazine) that an enterprising 15-year-old used information from a DNA test and the internet to identify and contact his genetic father, who was a sperm donor. This has brought into question the ability of sperm donors to stay anonymous.

The voices of donor conceived people are starting to be heard around the world. Most donor conceived people who are born from anonymous donation wish to have more information about their biological parent(s), so that they are able to complete their personal history. The majority of donor conceived people (those who know about their conception) disagree with anonymous donation of any sort.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 8 states that;

"1. States Parties undertake to respect the right of the child to preserve his or her identity, including nationality, name and family relations as recognized by law without unlawful interference.

2. Where a child is illegally deprived of some or all of the elements of his or her identity, States Parties shall provide appropriate assistance and protection, with a view to re-establishing speedily his or her identity."

Donor conceived people should have the same rights as others to access information about their genetic history.

References

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, (2003), Convention on the Rights of the Child Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989, http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/k2crc.htm, accessed 8 December 2005

External links

• Tangled Webs (An international action group challenging donor conception)

• We Are Donor Conceived People A journal for and about donor conceived people

• Donor Sibling Registry (A non-profit organization which assists individuals conceived as a result of sperm, egg or embryo donation to make mutually desired contact with others with whom they share genetic ties -- donors, offspring & half-siblings)

• Infertility Network (A registered Canadian charity which provides information & support to patients, parents & offspring)

• Donor Conception Network (A non-profit organisation based in the United Kingdom which provides information & support to patients, parents & offspring)

• Donor Conception Support Group (A non-profit organization based in Australia which provides information & support to patients, parents & offspring)

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