Anonymous gamete donation and the rights of the child to know one's biological parents

Abstract

Since its inception, the practice of gamete donation aimed at helping infertile males and childless women with their infertility. Due to legal, moral, and social issues, gamete donation used to be carried out secretly, and all parties were urged never to divulge anything about this practice. Fathers could raise their children as their own, and donors were relieved from all responsibilities. A number of offspring born as a result of gamete donation wish to discover who the other biological parent is. Studies show that persons born from donated gametes feel incomplete because they only know half of their origins. The older the age of disclosure is, the more difficult it seems to be for the child to absorb the truth about his conception. In my dissertation, I endeavour to discover what effects secrecy and anonymity have on children born as a result of donated ova or sperm. What do children feel when they discover that their social father is not their biological father? Is privacy of donors always safeguarded by law? I will attempt to delve into the debate of whether or not children have a legal or moral right to know who their biological parents are.