Press releases

Donor-conceived children may still be denied information about their identity, says BAAF

Issued: 17 May 2007

The British Association for Adoption & Fostering is calling for amendments to the draft Human Tissues and Embryos Bill to ensure donor-conceived children have access to fundamental information about their identity.

The charity welcomed the Government’s decision in 2004 to remove donor anonymity and supports many of the new proposals, but says they do not go far enough. Under the draft Bill, donor-conceived children will have the right to more information, such as whether they have donor-conceived brothers and sisters. But many children are never told the circumstances of their conception and so would not be in a position to access such information, says BAAF.

Julia Feast, BAAF Policy Research & Development Consultant, says:

“The Government has shown its commitment to the life-long needs of these children by lifting donor anonymity and through the other proposals in this Bill. But these new rights to information mean nothing unless a child knows they were donor-conceived.

"We cannot ignore the lessons we have learned from adoption. Parenting a child who is not genetically related raises unique issues and this should be acknowledged in legislation. We know how distressing it can be for people to discover that their genetic identity has been kept secret. And our increasing knowledge of genetic disorders makes it even more crucial these children know their origins.

“We believe there is a stigma surrounding donor-conceived births reminiscent of attitudes to adoption 30 or 40 years ago.  Today, families come in all shapes and sizes and any new law should actively support parents and encourage openness."

The charity is calling for:

• An urgent review of how children born as a result of donor-assisted conception have their status reflected in official records. The charity believes there should be an official way – as there is in adoption – of recording every donor-conceived birth.
• The introduction of compulsory information and preparation sessions for prospective parents. These sessions would help parents to think through why being open with children about their genetic identity really matters.

-Ends-

Notes to editors

For more information, please call BAAF press office on 020 7421 2632/3 or email daisy.oclee@baaf.org.uk For out of hours enquiries, call the press office mobile on 07767 444 589.