Anonymity and openness and the recruitment of gamete donors. Part I: semen donors

Abstract

Since 1 April 2005, gamete donors in the United Kingdom (UK) have to be willing, in the future, to be identified to offspring should the offspring want this. This change in law has lead to considerable anxiety about the future availability of donors. This paper presents an overview of the research evidence concerning semen donors' views on anonymity and openness, as it appears in referred journals since 1995. Research evidence that is available, but not yet been published in referred journals, is also reviewed. The nature of this evidence is analysed and criticized. Research on the views of potential semen donors is also reviewed, as is the evidence that is available from jurisdictions that have changed the law and required donor openness. The evidence shows that it is possible to recruit semen donors who are required to be identifiable in the future. The evidence, while not conclusive, points to an open system attracting different kinds of men than an anonymous system, and this has clear implications for future recruitment policies.

The evidence-based approach to recruitment of gamete donors challenges some of the beliefs, attitudes and fears that have been associated with this law change in the UK, and in other countries where similar changes have taken place.

Keywords:

• Donor insemination, recruitment, anonymity, openness