DC Journal Club - December Round Up

Research Recap and Other Tidbits

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Research Recap

Multiple recent studies revealed a significant underrepresentation of donors from Black, Hispanic, and other identities in U.S. sperm and egg banks compared to the general population.

A review of 121 cases where donor-conceived people were found to have genetic variants (Lockwood, 2024) revealed that 59% of tested egg and sperm donors carried the same variant, highlighting the importance of comprehensive genetic screening and information sharing in gamete donation.

A Belgian study of 203 donor-conceived adults (Casteels, 2024) found significant differences across family types in disclosure timing, interest in donor information, and psychological impacts. A study of 17 Chilean donor-conceived families (Navarro, 2024) found that while parents generally approached origin discussions positively (especially same-sex couples), their main concerns were about timing and language rather than whether to disclose. Andreassen (2023) revealed how online media platforms enable queer families in Scandinavia to form new types of kinship networks through donor sibling connections.

In a study comparing adopted/donor-conceived children with traditionally conceived children, Peretz-Lange (2024) found that those who were adopted or donor-conceived showed significantly less genetic-essentialist thinking. A French study comparing transgender and cisgender fathers (Mendes, 2024) found that while both groups using donor sperm showed stronger emotional attachment to their children than natural conception fathers, transgender fathers focused more on proving their parenting abilities, while cisgender donor-recipient fathers were more concerned about genetic connections and disclosure.

Tohme (2024) analyzed 131 donor information forms and revealed that egg donors wrote longer goodwill messages focused on helping others, while sperm donors provided more personal descriptions emphasizing athleticism and personality traits. Only a quarter mentioned potential future contact. In a systematic review of 53 qualitative studies, Bauer (2022) found that recipients choosing anonymous gamete donation primarily do so to protect emotional well-being, maintain family boundaries, avoid complicated social dynamics, and for practical reasons, though their feelings about this choice often evolve over time.

Other Tidbits

After stumbling upon five commentaries on the disclosure debate in 1997, I wrote a little reflection to close out the year. I continue to update the post about children’s books as I find new options. You might also be interested in this post about how your child is already learning about donor conception, even if you haven't said a word about it yet.

I noticed a dramatic uptick in media coverage of donor conception this month. Just as we need to be critical when reviewing research, we must consume journalism carefully.

• Review the Source: Recognize how the publisher’s target audience, editorial approach, and reputation shape the content.

• Check the Writer: Evaluate the author’s background, motivations, and expertise for potential bias.

• Inspect the Content: Look for supporting evidence, diverse viewpoints, and balanced coverage.

• Acknowledge Your Biases: Reflect on how your beliefs may color your interpretation of the material.

A groundbreaking IVF pioneer, Patrick Steptoe, secretly used sperm donors without disclosure, sparking ethical debates. Meanwhile, emerging alternatives to traditional sperm banks are rejecting secrecy in favor of personalized, transparent matchmaking.

Economic disparities drive the global egg trade, with donors from lower-income countries supplying eggs to recipients in wealthier regions, highlighting issues of inequality. The American egg donation industry is criticized for downplaying long-term health risks to female donors and prioritizing profit over donor well-being. For an interesting comparison, read the latter's rewrite in a pro-life news source.

WORLD covers a legal battle between two fertility doctors in Knoxville, Tennessee, that has left the fate of frozen embryos uncertain. A piece in Marie Claire explores the complex world of embryo donation, highlighting individuals who believe life begins at conception and are on a mission to save frozen embryos.

In Cosmopolitan, a woman recounts discovering at 18 that she and her triplet siblings were conceived via egg donation, leading to family tensions and personal identity struggles. An Australian sperm donor shares why he would never donate in the US in the New York Times.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe