Potential sperm donors', recipients' and their partners' opinions towards the release of identifying information in Western Australia

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to examine Western Australian potential sperm donors' and recipients' opinions towards the release of identifying information and their intentions to disclose.

Methods: Forty-five potential sperm donors, 33 recipients and 12 partners completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding their opinions on the release of identifying information, whether a child should be told about the manner of their conception, the level of expected contact of donor with future donor offspring and the importance of anonymity in their decision to donate.

Results: Slightly less than one-half (48.9%) of potential donors indicated that they would still donate if their identity was revealed to future offspring. When asked whether they would consider contact with offspring, 80% responded positively, with 42% favouring one-off contact. The majority of recipients (82%) and partners (92%) were planning to inform their offspring about the manner of their conception, with 69% of recipients believing that the offspring should receive identifying information about the donor. Recipients were ambivalent about the level of contact between their offspring and the donor.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the move to an open-identity donor system in Western Australia will benefit the majority of recipient parents who are intending to disclose; however, it also suggests a 50% decline in the number of potential sperm donors.