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Since the introduction of regulation in 1991, over 35,000 children have been born in the UK as a result of their parents having treatment with donated sperm or eggs in a licensed clinic. In contrast with practice in the past, parents of donor-conceived children are now strongly encouraged to tell their children about the way they were conceived. Donor-conceived people born as a result of donations made after April 2005 will be able to contact their donor, if they wish, when they reach the age of 18.
People have different interests when it comes to sharing, or not sharing, information about donor conception. Some people feel strongly that information about a donor is essential for a donor-conceived person, while others feel information about the use of fertility services, or about the donor, is private to the parents or donor.
This report addresses if, how and when information about donor conception should be shared between donor-conceived people, parents, donors, and health professionals. It makes recommendations to fertility clinics, to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, and to the Government.
Speakers:
Dr Rhona Knight (Chair of the Working Party), General Practitioner, Senior Clinical Educator at the University of Leicester and Member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Hugh Whittall, Director, Nuffield Council on Bioethics
Laura Witjens, Chief Executive, National Gamete Donation Trust and the UK Donor Conceived Register
Katharine Wright, Assistant Director and Project Head for the donor conception project, Nuffield Council on Bioethics