UK sperm donors support identity-release but navigate complex relationships
The opposite of a step parent – The genetics without any of the emotion: 'sperm donors' reflections on identity-release donation and relatedness (Graham, 2022)
Graham, S. (2022). The opposite of a step parent – The genetics without any of the emotion: 'sperm donors' reflections on identity-release donation and relatedness. Reproductive BioMedicine and Society Online, 14, 192-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbms.2021.06.003
Geographic Region: United Kingdom
Research Question: How do identity-release sperm donors conceptualize and feel about being identifiable to offspring at age 18, and how do they view their relationship with potential future offspring?
Design: Online survey combining closed and open-ended questions conducted between January-March 2017
Sample: 168 identity-release sperm donors who donated between 2010-2016 through London Sperm Bank (29% response rate). Sample had a mean age of 33 years and were 86% white, 69% heterosexual, and 59% partnered. 84% had no children of their own.
Key Findings
Most donors (63%) thought it was good that donor anonymity was removed in the UK. Most donors (65%) weren't worried about their offspring being able to learn their identity at age 18.
37% of donors expected future contact with offspring, while 39% were unsure that contact would happen. 25% did not expect contact.
The most common view (36% of donors) was that it was "just a genetic relationship". Some donors saw no relationship at all, while others viewed it like their own child. Many donors found it hard to describe the connection - one called it "the genetics without any of the emotion".
43% of donors supported children's right to learn about their origins, and 50% thought parents should decide whether to tell children about using a donor. The rest did not think children should be told or were unsure.
70% of donors saw positive aspects to identity-release donation. Of those who saw positive aspects, 45% cited benefits for the child and 27% cited benefits for themselves as donors.
Donors expressed concerns about what offspring might emotionally need or want from them, with several specifically worried about being expected to take on a parental role they did not feel suited for. Some donors wrote about how contact might affect their own families, including concerns about their partners' feelings and impacts on any future children they might have. A few donors expressed worries about offspring's upbringing and felt they might bear some responsibility if the child had a difficult life.
Limitations: Single sperm bank recruitment may not represent all UK donors. Prospective study asking about future hypothetical scenarios. Self-selected response group. All respondents had already chosen to be identity-release donors. May reflect social desirability bias in responses.
Applications: Better understanding of donors' varied perspectives and expectations. Need for better counseling and support for donors and importance of managing expectations around future contact.
Funding Source: Wellcome Trust, Grant 104385/Z/14/Z
Lead Author: Susanna Graham is a Research Associate at the Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge, UK. She held Wellcome Trust Research Fellowship in Society and Ethics to explore perceptions and experiences of men donating sperm through connection websites or licensed clinics.
Regulatory Context
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is the UK's independent regulator overseeing fertility treatment and research using human embryos.
In 2005, the UK changed its laws regulating gamete donation from anonymous donation to identifiable donation.
As of October 2023, donor-conceived people conceived on or after April 1, 2005, can access information about their donor's identity and request information about the identity of any donor siblings who have also expressed interest in contact at age 18.
Those conceived before the law change in 2005 do not have the same legal right to identifying information about their donors, who were guaranteed anonymity at the time of donation.
The UK has a voluntary register called the Donor Conceived Register (DCR), which allows donors and donor-conceived people from before 2005 to register and potentially match with each other voluntarily.