Donor children win right to learn parent's identity

Children conceived through sperm, egg and embryo donations will be able to learn the identity of their donor when they reach 18 years of age, the government announced today.

Under the new regulations, only people who donate after April 1 2005 will be identifiable. People who donate before this date will not be subject to the new rules.

However, as is the case now, the donor will continue to have no financial or legal obligations towards the child.

Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson told the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority annual conference in London that she believed donor-conceived people had a "right to information" about their genetic origins, including the identity of the donor.

"There is a growing body of opinion, which I agree with, that donor-conceived people should not be treated so differently from adopted people," she said.

"Today's new regulations will align their positions, removing the major discrepancy that exists between the rights of donor-conceived people and those of adopted people.

"There are strong opinions on all sides of this issue but in making my decision one thing was always clear. The interests of the child are paramount. We live in an age where, as technology continues to develop, our genetic background will become increasingly important."

The proposals follow a two-year consultation with infertility clinics, voluntary organisations and donors. The Department of Health is to undertake a review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Act, which was introduced in 1991 to regulate the field of assisted conception.

Miss Johnson said the Act had "stood the test of time remarkably well", but that a review of the law was now "inevitable".

"My aim is to ensure that the HFE Act is well placed to continue to be effective in the 21st Century," she added.

Nearly 25,000 people have been born through sperm, egg and embryo donations since 1991.

(gmcg)