tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312764612024-03-12T16:32:09.057-07:00Donated GenerationThoughts of donor conception practices from a donor offspring whose views changed dramatically once he had children of his own. This event has lead me on a quest to find my true identity, heritage, family health history and genetic relations (both donor and siblings), for myself and for my children.damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-41284689624806366862021-06-27T05:05:00.004-07:002021-06-27T05:05:53.451-07:00Self-reported mental health status of donor sperm-conceived adults<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our study into the mental health outcomes for donor-conceived adults has been published in the Journal of Developmental Origin of Health and Disease.</span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Damian H Adams, Adam Gerace, Michael J Davies, Sheryl de
Lacey. Self-reported mental health status of donor sperm-conceived adults. J
Dev Orig Health Dis. 2021 May 31;1-11. Online ahead of print. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">doi: <o:p></o:p><a class="id-link" data-ga-action="DOI" data-ga-category="full_text" href="https://doi.org/10.1017/s2040174421000210" ref="linksrc=article_id_link&article_id=10.1017/S2040174421000210&id_type=DOI" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #205493; font-family: BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: inherit; outline-offset: 3px; outline: rgb(174, 176, 181) dotted 2px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">10.1017/S2040174421000210</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><p></p>damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-52629162409556826912020-09-25T01:20:00.004-07:002020-09-25T01:20:40.308-07:00Self-reported physical health status of donor sperm-conceived adults<p>Our study into the physical outcomes for donor-conceived adults has been published in the Journal of Developmental Origin of Health and Disease.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Damian H Adams, Adam Gerace, Michael J Davies, Sheryl de
Lacey. Self-reported physical health status of donor sperm-conceived adults. J
Dev Orig Health Dis. 2020 Aug 28;1-14. doi: 10.1017/S204017442000080X. Online
ahead of print.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-developmental-origins-of-health-and-disease/article/selfreported-physical-health-status-of-donor-spermconceived-adults/92D06B125AB27F0537FA26DF3BDC8418">https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-developmental-origins-of-health-and-disease/article/selfreported-physical-health-status-of-donor-spermconceived-adults/92D06B125AB27F0537FA26DF3BDC8418</a></p><ul class="details no-padding-bottom" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-family: "noto sans", Helvetica, Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 870px;"><li class="author" id="author-1a9dd6329406543df450bd0a3563e6b1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div aria-live="polite" class="accessible-alert show-for-sr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px); font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute !important; vertical-align: baseline; width: 1px;"></div></li><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><ul class="article-components" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><li class="source" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; float: left; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; min-height: 19px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">DOI: <a class="url doi" data-test-id="reviewDOILink" href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S204017442000080X" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: rgb(0, 111, 202) !important; cursor: pointer; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 2px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-color: rgb(0, 111, 202); transition: all 0.3s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1017/S204017442000080X</a></li></ul></li></ul>damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-67622466822055655282018-11-28T13:22:00.001-08:002018-11-28T13:22:39.570-08:00Donor Conceived Alliance CandaA new advocacy group has started up in Canada called the Donor Conceived Alliance of Canada.<br />
There website can be found <a href="http://www.donorconceivedalliance.ca/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cdKgPWWWQU/W_8HDFtvRTI/AAAAAAAAAD0/ODZD5j8R4ukUSHu_DWUF_pLJZNQQV1vggCLcBGAs/s1600/switched%2Bbaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="666" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cdKgPWWWQU/W_8HDFtvRTI/AAAAAAAAAD0/ODZD5j8R4ukUSHu_DWUF_pLJZNQQV1vggCLcBGAs/s320/switched%2Bbaby.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-47273278010557643752018-09-27T19:13:00.001-07:002018-09-27T19:13:11.199-07:00A Year On After Finding Out They Were Donor Conceived<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The following is
reposted with permission from the author Cassandra A. These words are not mine
but hers. I enjoyed this post immensely and asked if I could cross-post it in
this format. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">It is a long post but
well worth the time.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">"I am one year old. One
year. It has already been one year. Yet it has only been one year. 35 years of
one identity, one year of another. I am still only beginning, and I still have
a lot to learn about an identity I have always had, and how Cassandra came to
be. A trauma is a difficult thing to navigate: Intentional deception means
losing trust in the people who first taught you what trust means. An exchange
of money able to purchase away an ethnicity gives question as to what identity
even means. To overcome years of shameful secrecy is something for which there
is no timetable. Over the last year, I lost my entire family in one form or
another. I lost friendships: whether friends were unable to handle the weight
of the issue and so abandoned ship, or stayed and tried, or stayed and
understood even as usual topics of conversation dramatically changed, or saw me
go through some pretty crazy transformations, or whether they could not
comprehend the losses of the journey and hence the job of back and forth explaining
became too tedious on all sides, or whether they unintentionally made me feel
more alone and misunderstood...or whether I could not tell them at all. All
relationships changed somehow. I even lost a part of my daughter. A sense of
recognition. Countless mental health professionals have admitted to never
having met anyone in this situation, and often have very little knowledge
surrounding the complex issues it creates. They may have little ability to
validate in a way that is not based on the societal cliches that are actually a
part of the problem. All these situations have caused, in their own ways,
further isolation and trauma during a time that was already incredibly
transitional and emotionally vulnerable, for countless reasons, even before
this date last year. I am a very trusting person who now deeply trusts
virtually no one. When you are forced to learn about the history of the ways we
'buy and sell' human beings, that will happen. In learning that, it pains me to
say, it became a date that rivaled even the day I became a mother in terms of
its significance in my life. The worst day of my life. The best day of my life.
The best thing to ever happen to me: the trauma of the Truth of my life and my
existence. The day I learned I could be free. Free to be who I am and who I
have always been. Free to put the pieces together, for me and for my daughter.
I have relived every age and stage. I will continue to do so for the
foreseeable future. I will be okay. I am grateful. I am still ME, painfully so,
but I will never be the same again. So much of what was left of my innocence,
trust, and love was wiped away. I say again: 35 years of one life, one year of
another. It has only been a year, though I almost can't remember a time before
this was true; past memories seem so distant, while the present is so vibrant.
Even in gaining myself, I have lost myself thousands of times over. I can't
even recognize my own heartbeat. Yet somehow, that has been the only thing I
can follow and the only voice I can heed during the last year, as
untrustworthy, fake, foreign as it often feels. I am the only one who can lead
this journey. And what I have gained: again and again, The Truth. I have gained
new families: I have gained a community of people who have me feeling more than
ever that I have found 'my tribe.' It is rare to find someone else who can
comprehend what has happened to me, to us. It is so often only our community
who can fathom the full extent of this nightmare. They have saved my sanity,
made me realize I am not a freak nor a shameful secret. I have gained new
family and a greater understanding of who I am. A greater understanding of who
our daughter is. The joys I have received and been utterly blessed with in the
last year are things that no one should have to be *blessed* with. They are the
results of denied human rights. In a life of loss, I lost things I never knew
humans could lose; I was naive. And I have spent time this last year making
sure at least a little corner of the world is aware of it. I'm not ashamed to
say all of this, though those who are likely ashamed to read this can't see it.
I am forced to hide who I am. My life -- my identity -- is still somehow a
shameful secret. I don't care. I'm fighting to disprove that by sharing bits
and pieces of what I can with who I can. To shed the 35 years of trauma. To try
to prevent this trauma from happening to the next generation through advocacy
and open discourse and education. The last year has been spent meeting and
forming friendships with new people, learning about new friends and family,
contacting legislators and journalists and public figures, engaging in heated
discussions with hundreds of people to try to change the prevailing thought
process, networking with all of them to try make sure this scenario doesn't
happen to anyone else. A year of art, writing, and advocacy. Because, when you
see fellow human beings who have physically suffered, had inaccurate and
delayed medical treatment, who have died as a result of having no access to
accurate health history, who suffer on a visceral emotional level, who have
suffered a primal wound and a form of psychological abuse from those they love
the most, you need to act. Do not lie to your children. Shame and secrets keep
us sick. Long term, massive lies and delusions can cause C-PTSD. Trust is lost.
Don't lie to your children about who they are. Information about a person
cannot ethically be held from that person. ANY integral information. Whether
you know my story or not I hope my messages get across... that we all have the
fundamental right to our own bodies. I will never look at $35 or $100 the same
way again. Be grateful if you can look at childhood pictures without feeling
sick, without feeling like a fraud. Be grateful if you don't have to worry
about 'coming out' and the people closest to you desiring for you to keep the
most basic facts about yourself and your identity a secret, because of their
shame. I almost don't remember anything else being true; this has always been.
Yet moments it remains completely unreal. Over the last twelve months I have
learned more about the manufacture and the buying and selling of human beings
than anyone should have to learn. It shouldn't happen that people have to learn
about this; and yet we do. I've learned more about something many consider a
legally- and socially-sanctioned lesser form of child trafficking, and the ways
we as a society have found to justify certain forms of it through ignorance. To
have a year of being talked about like a product, a purchase, a mystery... to
have to prove to strangers, to myself, and to the people closest to me that I
am in fact fully human in every sense of the word, except for how I have been
treated. I was thrust into a world I did not know existed, a world I had always
been an unknowing and unwilling part of, a sort of experiment in a world I can
unfortunately now talk to you about all day every day, because I have lived it,
educated myself, and been educated, in it. I learned about stigma and also
about a sweet-talking industry that paints light to cover over the darkness it
has created. I now live in this unimaginably pervasive brave new world; I now
live in this surreally functional brave new body. Filled with the capacity for
so much love, squashed under the weight of mistrust. This is MY story now, and
while others' shame is respected, it has to be secondary to my message and my
story about children's human rights. Appreciate your rights. Appreciate what
you take for granted. Appreciate privilege. I am thankful for my fellow travelers
who understand how the best thing to ever happen is also the worst, most
traumatic thing to ever happen. The discovery makes life, and my past, make
sense, as I work forward and backward in integrating the pieces. It is an
experience that brings forth unimaginable waves of emotions that did not exist
within me before last year, emotions that the human mind and human heart do not
have the pathways to experience until they are forcibly created in processing
such a trauma. It requires deciphering the complexities of what makes us human
in the first place and what that means for our bodies and for our rights. I
have spent so much time dissociating, an effect reflecting the pain of the
realization that my whole life has been one of utter disconnect and lack of
recognition. An awakening, realizing that there was a dismissal of all the
clues. It is dissociation reflecting an understanding of the sickness
surrounding me; the intentional deception of everyone I ever loved, all those
consequences put on my shoulders through the willful ignorance of all those who
violated me. It is the pain of some of the people I love the most telling me I
am weak, I am an anomaly, when in fact I am stronger than any of them would
have been in the wake of having their deeply ingrained core identity (an
identity we take for granted even having, I might add) being shaken and pulled
out from under them. Through all my understanding, empathy, and forgiveness, I
still hurt. However, I am firm in my unwavering appreciation of the truth and
desire to make everything better for everyone out there. I now have the freedom
of being who I am and always was with pride and more clarity. To know why I am
the way I am in every way, so much more fully. It is an incredible gift of
fortune. Love is not enough to solve the world's problems; until we have
dignity and respect and rights to go along with the love that we all strive to
let shine through, we will continue to falter. There are so many simple every
day reminders around every corner. Having to hide huge parts of my life and
huge accomplishments and huge joys and huge let downs from some of the people I
care about most is a mind trip. An ethnicity change, and a certain kind in
particular, is a mind trip. Reliving every age, each stage, completing an
analysis of identity is a mind trip. If you have never had to reexamine your
face, your entire body, be grateful. If you have never had to relive childhood
memories as if you were a fraud, or feel sick looking at old photos, be
grateful. If you don't see unimaginable trauma and families ripped apart on a
regular basis, be grateful. I am so grateful, much as I suffer. Thank you all,
those of you know who you are, so so so much, from my heart. Now that I am
grounded, with all my roots exposed, I have a difficult but amazing life to go
live. I made it one year, time to step forward for more of the rough terrain."</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-14458659077049543392018-07-08T03:23:00.001-07:002018-07-08T03:23:56.837-07:00Positive Experiences for DC People<br />
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I recently came across a post on Facebook in a donor
conception group that was written by a parent who was asking DC people for
input because they wanted their child to have a positive experience from being
donor conceived. She also mentioned that she used an open ID donor, so that
issue would not be rearing its head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I found the question problematic because it makes the
assumption that given a certain set of circumstances that a DC person would have
to view their conception in a positive light. Therefore if a DC person had
negative views about donor conception then there must be something inherently
wrong with their upbringing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would argue counter to this point in so much that if a
parent is trying to ensure that their child only views their conception in a positive
light then this in effect is a form of brainwashing or at the least
conditioning. Every DC person should be given the right to form their own
opinion on their conception that is not biased by the views of their parents or
society as a whole. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know many DC people who had great upbringings and who view
their conception and the processes surrounding it in a negative light and they
should be allowed to express those views. Just as those who are happy with
their conception, should be able to express those views too. It is far better
in my opinion for a parent to support their child and subsequent adult with
whatever stance they take on their conception and understand that it is
perfectly natural for them to feel that way. They had no choice in the matter
but the parent did. The parent should not be seeking post-hoc approval from
their child.</div>
<br />damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-4333224941371933172017-12-04T01:55:00.001-08:002017-12-04T01:56:14.922-08:00South Australia Set to Give All Donor Conceived People Equal Rights to InformationThe South Australian government handed down its response to the review of the A.R.T. Act and has given support to all donor conceived people in having access to identifying information on their biological father/mother (donor) regardless of when they were conceived and regardless of whether it was done under conditions of anonymity. This would mean that South Australia would be the second Australian state to do so.<br />
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-30/identity-of-anonymous-sperm-donors-in-south-australia-could-soo/9208806">http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-30/identity-of-anonymous-sperm-donors-in-south-australia-could-soo/9208806</a>damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-11028215100905566792017-03-01T18:25:00.003-08:002017-03-01T18:25:58.404-08:00Diblings<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently I came across the term diblings. Diblings was used
as a term to describe siblings (half or otherwise) that would exist in other
families as a result of donor conception. For example two families used the
same sperm donor making the children technically half-siblings. So these would
be termed donor conceived siblings or diblings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So here we have an example of people creating a term to
replace a perfectly good word that describes the situation accurately. Half-siblings
are what they technically are. Some argue that the term “half” is rather
demeaning and that they are just siblings. Either way those pre-existing terms
describe the biological relationship between those people accurately. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So why create a new term? It is not cute. It even sounds
like dribblings - as if they are dribbling. All it does is try to further devalue
the significance of the relationship. If we were to acknowledge that they are
indeed siblings or half-siblings then that might make people feel bad about
them not growing up with or ever knowing each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is analogous to how some people in the donor conception
triad (recipient parents, donors, offspring) or even society itself, refuse to
acknowledge that the donor is indeed the child’s father. Of course they are a
father, they begot the child, which was the original meaning of the term. But
because some were worried that the raising male parent might feel put off by
this, they had to be called father too, and subsequently the definition of
father changed over the years to reflect this change. By not acknowledging that
the donor is indeed a father and the father of that child, it makes it easier
to justify the separation and the lack of contact/interaction. Because if we
did not know the circumstances of that child’s conception and someone informed
you that the child grew up never knowing their father, of course you would
think that that was tragic. But when we are informed the father was a sperm
donor all of a sudden it becomes acceptable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure the raising male parent acts as a father and does all
those things a father should do (and no doubt in many instances does an amazing
job), which meets one of the current definitions of father, but by another definition
the donor is a father to that child as well. We need to stop trying to rebadge
things to make ourselves feel better about our choices but acknowledge them for
what they truly are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A donor conceived person will love their parents for who
they are, not what label has been attached to them. Nor should they have the
relationship with their biological father devalued by stating that he is not
their father. And so too by extrapolation a donor conceived person should not
have their relationship status with their siblings or half-siblings trivialised
to a dribble – oops I mean dibling. <o:p></o:p></div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-48974689270384832162016-02-23T14:14:00.006-08:002016-02-23T14:14:54.088-08:00Victoria creates new legislation that gives ALL donor conceived people the right to their heritageFrom:<br />http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-law-gives-all-donor-conceived-victorians-the-right-to-know-their-heritage/<br /><br />
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">All donor-conceived Victorians will now be able to access available identifying information about their donors and heritage from 1 March 2017 without donor consent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act Amendment Bill 2015 tonight successfully passed through the Victorian Legislative Council without amendment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Previously, only people born from sperm or eggs donated after 1998 could automatically find out available identifying information about their donors when they reach adulthood.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Changes to the law in 2015 meant donor-conceived people born before 1998 could access this information, but only with donor consent.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The new law addresses this inequality and recognises that it is important for all donor-conceived Victorians to access information about their heritage, no matter when their donors donated.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From 1 March 2017, the Andrews Labor Government’s amendments will mean that people born before 1998 will be able to access the same identifying information without the need for the donor’s consent.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Knowledge about one’s heritage can contribute to a person’s sense of identity and is critical for medical treatments and family planning.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority will manage access to information about donors and provide counselling and support for donors, donor-conceived people and their families.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The new laws establish contact preferences for donors who donated pre-1998 to manage contact or choose no contact, with their donor-conceived offspring. This recognises that these donors donated on the expectation that they could remain anonymous.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Donor-conceived people will also be able to lodge contact preferences where their donors seek identifying information about them.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 20px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“We believe all donor-conceived people should have the right to know about their genetic heritage, no matter when their donors donated.”</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“This information can make a huge difference to the lives of donor-conceived Victorians. If this information is available, it shouldn’t be kept from them.”</span></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; margin-bottom: 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border-image-outset: initial; border-image-repeat: initial; border-image-slice: initial; border-image-source: initial; border-image-width: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I wish to acknowledge the work of the Parliament in passing this important piece of legislation.”</span></span></div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-48306593421345020572015-12-02T14:08:00.001-08:002015-12-02T14:10:43.197-08:00Answers to some FAQs About Proposed Changes to Laws in VictoriaThe following is reposted from the Are You Donor Conceived website, in which responses were written to some commonly asked questions regarding proposed amendments to the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act. These are not my words I am just reposting here for others who may be interested in changes that occurring around the world and some of the arguments that are being used to try and create change.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.areyoudonorconceived.org/frequently-asked-questions/">http://www.areyoudonorconceived.org/frequently-asked-questions/</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>1. Donors were
promised anonymity, isn’t it wrong to renege on that promise?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Early donor insemination practices were conducted in secrecy
and varied according to clinic and jurisdiction. Some donors were given
assurances that they would be anonymous, that they could not seek the identity
of the recipient or any resulting child and signed consent forms with that
undertaking. Others were told nothing and there is no documentation. Anonymity
was a condition of donating as opposed to something that was necessarily
actively sought. As times have progressed and donor-conceived people have
grown, the effects of anonymity have become known. Many donors wonder about the
children that they helped to create, children wonder about their donors,
recipient parents seek information too. The removal of anonymity therefore is
not about reneging on a promise, but rather showing that our understanding of
what is important has grown and changed, and supporting openness and honesty
for all parties.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>2. But a contract is
a contract right?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While ‘consent forms’ were signed by donors and recipient
parents in which they agreed not to seek out the children or each other, the
consent forms do not equate to legal contracts. In addition, such consent forms
did not prevent children from seeking information, and could not bind them from
doing so. In the instances in which donors were given assurances, either
explicit or implied, any agreement that can be found to exist relates only to
the donor, the provider clinic and the recipient undergoing treatment. There is
also the issue of whether clinics or medical practitioners had any authority to
promise or impose anonymity when from very early on there had been recognition
that donor-conceived children would grow and might seek information. Any
alleged ‘contract’ – if one could be found to exist-might therefore be declared
void on grounds of public policy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>3. Doesn’t changing
the law retrospectively create uncertainty?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No. The changes to the law would simply provide for a system
that supports information release in a clear and explicit way. In the early
days of donor-conception practice there was no law in Victoria providing that
donors may be anonymous nor remain anonymous in perpetuity. In fact the 1983
Waller committee review of assisted reproductive treatment practices
recommended that donors be advised that there can be no guarantee of permanent
complete anonymity. Consequently when and where legislation has been introduced
it has ended the practice of anonymous donations and enshrined the best
interests of the donor conceived person as a guiding principle, providing them
with the ability to access the identity of the donor once they reach maturity.
A donors right to privacy (as distinct from anonymity) will be protected by a
number of provisions, including statements of contact preference and mandatory
counselling. The laws will therefore provide certainty for all, recognising the
need for information, but balancing that with the ability to clearly state
whether or not contact is wanted, and if so, the extent to which that might
occur.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>5. But this will be
an invasion of a donor’s privacy?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The release of information about donors is seen as integral
to providing donor conceived people certainty regarding their identity and
biological parentage. A donor’s privacy will be protected by allowing him or
her to place a contact preference stating the extent to which they would be
willing to have contact with the donor-conceived person, if at all. Significant
penalties will apply if that preference is breached.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In comparison, unexpected (and sometimes unwelcome) direct
contact between immediate family members who may have been previously unaware
of each other occurs daily in our community. These interactions take place
without any legislated mediation and privacy protections, despite the fact that
such contact could be embarrassing, personally disruptive and even result in
court proceedings for estate claims or child support.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second reading speech by Victorian Health Minister Jill
Hennessy when introducing the bill to parliament contains a brief discussion of
this issue and can be accessed here: http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>6. What about claims
on a donor’s estate or child support?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Laws which provide for the legal status of children (including
donor conceived people) stipulate that donors have no rights or
responsibilities in relation to the child. The person undergoing treatment with
donor gametes and their partner (if applicable) are deemed to be the legal
parent(s) of any child conceived as a result.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Note, the vast majority of donor conceived people who will
be affected by the Victorian government’s proposed amendments are all well into
adulthood, their motivations for seeking the identity of their biological
parent stem from thoughtful and sensitive consideration of questions relating
to their own identity and family heritage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>7. Shouldn’t donors
be consulted about these changes?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They have been over a period of many years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most recently, in Victoria, on the 23 June 2010, the
Victorian Parliamentary Law Reform Committee received the first terms of
reference to conduct a public inquiry into access by donor-conceived people to
information about donors. This committee tabled an interim report in September
2010. The inquiry was continued by the subsequent parliament and the final
report was tabled on the 28th March 2012.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The parliamentary inquiry was well advertised and thorough.
It received many submissions from stakeholders and organisations and was
extensively publicised in the media. Following the final report the government
requested that a special independent donor consultation be held to canvas the
views of donors. This report was conducted by Monash University, School of
Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Jean Hailes Research Unit and was
given to the government in May 2013. It represented the views of 42 donors
three quarters of whom were not opposed to the release of their identity even
though they may have been promised anonymity.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>8. Why is advertising
the voluntary registers not sufficient?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The voluntary registers operate to facilitate information
exchange and contact between donors, donor conceived people and other family
members. They are advertised and should continue to be. They are an important
service and (as the name suggests) operate by matching details entered
voluntarily on the register. Currently there are 221 donors listed and 110
offspring.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opponents of the proposed legislative amendments suggest
that their preference would be to better advertise these registers. There are a
number of issues with this proposal, fundamentally that it perpetuates the
stigma of secrecy and shame, which is demeaning and damaging for donor
conceived people and it does very little to change their position at the
present time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Capturing all of the anonymous donor cohort would require a
broad spectrum, expensive advertising campaign. Even if you were able to make
all of those donors aware of the voluntary registers existence, that awareness
would not equate to a comparative level of active engagement with the
registers. Perhaps because of an outright refusal of donors to make themselves
known but more likely because an application requires thought and can be an
emotional process and therefore is something that they might intend to do “one
day”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Practically this means that the donor conceived person
relies on their donor not only seeing an advertisement but then acting on that
information in a timely manner. The number of donor conceived people (and
donors) who might benefit from this approach would be much less than those who
will be empowered and assisted by the legislative amendments.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>9. Are there any
other reasons that support such legislation?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the advent of DNA testing people are now able to
discover the identity of genetic relatives due to extensive genealogical
databases originally created by people researching their family history.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The legislation in fact would provide for protections of
privacy in terms of ensuring only contact that is wanted in the case of donors
and donor-conceived people may proceed, as a result of them being able to place
‘contact preferences’. At present, without such legislation, unexpected contact
may occur, and people may not be supported via counselling services.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition, the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Amendment
Bill represents a paradigm shift for donor conceived people. It recognises them
as mature adults who should have the ability to access vital personal
information concerning their own identity, family and medical history. It also
recognises that donors are real people with names rather than shadowy coded
figures, who are important and worth knowing, but provides them with essential
protections if sought.</div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-11215450454977154782015-11-09T17:24:00.002-08:002015-11-09T17:24:43.037-08:00Where's the Beef?<div class="MsoNormal">
It has come to my attention that there are some people who
are under the assumption through some of the things I have written that I am
against parents. Assumptions rarely provide good outcomes for intellectual
discourse. Now I will assume that the people that wrote those comments didn’t actually
mean I was against all parents otherwise I would of course be against myself
(example of how an assumption can be absurd), so I will have to presume that
they are referring to recipient parents of donor conception as that is the
topic of debate that I have engaged in. <br />
So let’s see, we have my parents; my biological mother and my non-biological
father (my dad). Both amazing people that I love dearly. They were pioneers and
told me of my origins in the 70s when all parents were being informed by the
clinics to keep it a secret. No problem with them. In fact I have great
admiration for them in not only raising me but also for the truthful and loving
stance they took.<br />
I know numerous other recipient parents. Some of which are very dear friends of
mine. Additionally some of these people have been instrumental in creating not
only public awareness of donor conception but have contributed enormously to
creating meaningful change, not only here in Australia but also
internationally. My hat goes off to these amazing people. No problem here
either.<br />
But maybe I have a problem with donors. I know lots of them too. Some of which
are also phenomenal people that I am privileged to call friend. If these guys
happened to be my father I would be honoured. No problem there either.<br />
So without a clear problem with parents per se, then perhaps I need to set the
record straight. There are good and bad parents whether it is through natural
conceptions or through donor conceptions. Just because a child was wanted and
the parents went through immense emotional trauma and financial hardship to
have these children does not mean that it will always be a good outcome. This
has been an assumption that far too many hold as dogma. I have heard far too
many stories from other donor conceived who grew up in abusive households or
who had narcissistic or troubled parents to know that this is not the case. But
yes there are good outcomes too.<br />
Indeed infertility can be a truly terrible thing to deal with, something that
can be incredibly unfair, and one which we should all empathise with. However,
we need to move away from the notion that having children is a right. There is
no legislation or international convention that specifies adults have a right
to a child. Rather it is what is termed a “freedom”. The freedom to procreate.
This freedom has been removed cruelly from some people by Mother Nature.<br />
My beef is with the system and also those that think anonymity is a good thing.
Yes that can include some parents. It is against the thought that deception is
a healthy foundation to raise a family. It is against the concept that children
and gametes can be reduced to commodities that are available for those that can
afford it. It is against the hypocrisy that one genetic link is valuable but
the other disposable. It is against those that remove the child’s ability to
know their next of kin, their heritage, and their family health history.<br />
A quote from the famous ethicist Immanuel Kant that is from his categorical
imperative, applies to donor conception <br />
“Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in
the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the
same time as an end.”<br />
In this context the donor conceived should not be treated as a means to an end.
The end being the creation of a child for the family. Rather that they will
grow up to be adults too with the same needs and emotions as others including
yourself. If it is important for you to have a child that is genetically
related to either you or the other person in the couple, then the other genetic
relation (with the “donor” and other related kin) can be equally important to the
donor conceived person if they see it that way.<o:p></o:p></div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-76370435313109590042015-09-14T16:12:00.002-07:002015-09-14T16:13:30.404-07:00Biological v Sociological<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people mistakenly believe that I only support biological
ties. This is not true. Both biological and sociological ties in families are
important. What I am opposed to is the trivialisation of the biological
connection and the over-emphasis by various people and groups that these
biological connections do not matter and that love is all you need.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Firstly on the sociological aspect. I was raised by two
different non-biologically related men in conjunction with my biological
mother. My dad who raised me till I was 10 and a step-father who raised me
there-after. I was indeed raised in a loving home and both these men were
exceptional and I love them dearly. Could they have raised me better than my
biological father, absolutely, that is a distinct possibility. Does that mean
that it was perfect? It would seem not, otherwise myself and many others would
not be advocating for change in the way donor conception is practiced.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But here is the hypocrisy. Donor conception exists because
typically one parent wishes to have a biological connection with the child,
rather than adopt or foster other children. Yet the other biological connection
is deemed disposable. This is clear hypocrisy. You cannot decide on behalf of
the child which biological connection will be important to them and which one
should be erased. That is unethical.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the wider society, if biological connection weren’t
important then we wouldn’t have genealogy and we wouldn’t have popular TV shows
like “Who do you think you are?” We wouldn’t have millions upon millions of
people on sites such as Ancestry.com or FamilyTreeDNA and 23andMe (the latter
two both DNA genealogy testing companies). In Australia we wouldn’t have had
national apologies to the Stolen Generation, Forced Adoptees and the Child
Migrants, all of whom were separated from their kin. Doctors would not ask you
what your family health history was. Ethnicity and culture would not be
important to people. But these are indeed clearly important to people and
society as a whole, just it is not allowed to be important to donor conceived
people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If biology was not important then every time a woman gives
birth in hospital then they should not go home with the baby that she delivered
but any baby from the nursery will do so long as they are healthy. After all
biology doesn’t matter right and love is all that matters? They will love that
child and that child will love them. So not a problem then? Yet you will not
find one person who believes that this scenario is ethical or moral. It would
very much be a massive problem and hence the hypocrisy. There are far too many
people that are too fluid in their emotions and beliefs in when biology matters
and just flip-flop on their stance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In essence both biology and sociology do matter. But if you are going to have an opinion that is biased toward one side or the other then just don’t
have a large dose of hypocrisy apparent in your opinions.<o:p></o:p></div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-50031180194927802712015-06-29T16:54:00.001-07:002015-06-29T18:43:17.137-07:00National Donor Conceived Persons ConferenceA National Donor Conceived Persons Conference was held last weekend on the 27th June, 2015, in Melbourne, Australia.<br />
In attendance was 49 adult donor conceived people from around Australia. This also included 3 DCP who flew across from New Zealand for the event. Additionally some Australian's flew back from Norway, USA, and Timor, making it a somewhat international event.<br />
Several of these donor conceived people had never met another DC person before.<br />
It was an emotional event with the sharing of stories and experiences, as well as the beautiful presentation of artwork and music relating to donor conception.<br />
We had presentations on the use of DNA database testing, perspectives from donors, the state of the law in Australia, parallels between adoption and donor conception, as well as presentations by a Judge on children's rights, and by politicians on the changing face of the legislation in Victoria which will now give donor conceived people access to information on their biological father/mother (gamete donor) to bring it in line with what happens in adoption.<br />
A thoroughly rewarding and eventful day, with many new friendships formed and old ones continuing.damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-1944270766882700132015-02-02T13:34:00.000-08:002015-02-02T13:34:35.171-08:00Are You Donor Conceived?Video of donor conceived people questioning whether others are donor conceived.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=85114404&v=U4canXMOELg&x-yt-ts=1422579428">https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=85114404&v=U4canXMOELg&x-yt-ts=1422579428</a>damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-78455904286874458872015-01-29T13:36:00.003-08:002015-01-29T13:36:50.875-08:00German Federal Court Reaffirms Donor Conceived's Right to Knowhttp://donoroffspring.eu/germany-federal-court-of-justice-confirms-donor-offspringss-right-to-know-their-donor/damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-60102079013264051592014-10-19T16:57:00.001-07:002014-10-19T16:57:36.984-07:00Petition to end anonymous donations in the U.S.http://www.change.org/p/american-society-for-reproductive-medicine-end-anonymous-sperm-egg-donation-in-the-u-sdamianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-15535988545816372082014-09-04T04:45:00.003-07:002014-09-04T04:45:55.198-07:00I am attempting to change my birth certificate<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">What I am trying to do is have my dad’s name removed and
replaced with “unknown”.<br /> I am donor conceived. Sperm donors in the 70’s were anonymous and one of the only things<span class="text_exposed_show"> I know about my biological father is the donor code RE.<br />
I do not need a piece of paper to tell me how much my dad meant to me
and how much I love him and will always love him (he passed away when I
was 10 – 30 years ago this month). <br /> What I do need is an accurate
and factual record of my conception and birth. Apart from originally
being instigated for taxation purposes, they are supposed to be a
factual record of genealogy. Mine does not, nor does the majority of
other donor conceived people’s birth certificates. By enshrining
deception in the law and allowing this to occur the state government is
complicit in enabling recipient parents to actively deceive their child
about their origins. Something we know from research that the truth is
often found out later in life with devastating consequences. <br /> My dog
has a more accurate birth certificate than I do, as do a lot of
livestock. How is it that animals can have a more accurate birth record
than a person? Now that is dehumanising and wrong.<br /> A birth certificate is not a certificate of ownership, we do not own children. We merely love and nurture them to adulthood.<br />
Now I was lucky and blessed that both dad and mum always told me the
truth about my conception. Something that was extremely rare in the
seventies as the doctors told them to keep it a secret from me. Modern
research shows that my parents were correct and made the right decision
for which I am forever grateful. They both taught me to stand up for
what I believe in, and this is what I am doing. I strongly believe that I
am continuing on my dad’s legacy of seeking and telling the truth by
making this stand. His legacy also still lives on in my name, Damian
HEDLEY ADAMS. This will not change.<br /> As it currently stands if any of
my descendants do genealogy research of my family they will be lead
down the wrong path. Yes they will still be linked to the Adams’s and
this is still important, but it is not their flesh and blood.<br /> Birth
certificates need to be reviewed. They should contain all of the
biological parents as well as any legal parents (if different), that way
parents will stop deceiving their children and the truth about their
kinship will be available to them.<br /> As far as I am aware this is the
first time this has been attempted in Australia, and I may not be
successful, but it is time to make a stand not just for me but for my
descendants and other donor conceived people.</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-04/man-from-anonymous-donor-wants-birth-certificate-changed/5720126 </span></span>damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-71061286185043717382014-06-15T20:33:00.002-07:002014-06-15T20:43:55.123-07:00Types of Donation<div class="MsoNormal">
Through conversations with others there seems to be
misunderstanding and misuse of various terms in donor conception. For this post
I am going to discuss differing types of donation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Anonymous</i></b> – this is where the offspring will never be able
to gain access to identifying information on the donor (and vice-versa).
Historically this is the most common form however the use of the following
forms is increasing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Identifiable</i></b> – this is where the offspring will be able to
access identifying information on the donor usually after reaching a specific
age (ie 18 years).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Known</i></b> – this is where the identity of the donor is known to
the recipient parents at the time of donation. This is sometimes done through
friends, acquaintances or even private arrangements.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some people have been using <i>anonymous</i> to describe the second situation because they feel that
during those 18 years the offspring will not be able to access this
information. However, this is incorrect, particularly in places like Australia
where regulation specifies that current donors must be identifiable. So while
they child may not initially not be allowed access to identifying information
they will certainly be allowed to do so at some stage, making the use of the
term anonymous problematic. Its use in this way also provides confusion to the
wider community. In academic literature in reference to the practice in
Australia, we typically refer to the anonymous periods and identifiable or
willing to be known periods. So for those Aussie donors who are currently
donating, STOP using the term anonymous. No anonymous donations have been
allowed in Australian fertility clinics since the introduction of National
Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines from 2004 that came into effect
in 2005.<o:p></o:p></div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-38047274424594858892014-03-28T14:25:00.003-07:002014-03-28T14:25:55.456-07:00DNA Testing Company 23andMe has a Blog Post on Donor Conception23andMe has posted a story/article about donor conceived people using the services of their company to track down genetic relatives:<br />http://blog.23andme.com/ancestry/lost-girls/?utm_source=cj&utm_medium=cpa&utm_campaign=affiliate&utm_content=23c_Affiliates&utm_term=7354662&cvosrc=affiliate.cj.7354662damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-13232448108933892202013-12-13T20:03:00.002-08:002013-12-13T20:03:50.878-08:00New Registry (FREE)Unlike several others that cost to join the follow group is a new registry and online group that is free to join:<br />
http://donorchildren.com/damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-1121049259379898202013-09-13T02:34:00.000-07:002013-09-13T02:34:07.178-07:00It's a Small World - Especially with DNA TestingFrom my Y-DNA test that I did with FamilyTreeDNA I only have 11 matches at the 12 marker range and that includes 2 that are at the 1 step range (that is one marker that is different by a one step mutation). This is from a database that is almost half a million men (500,000) that have tested with FTDNA.<br />
This number of matches is not surprising even though there are many others who will have a much larger number of matches.<br />
The surprising part is that one of my matches, is another donor conceived man in the USA (I live in Australia).<br />
A man that I have had communications with for several years.<br />
While we are very distant genetic cousins, we do share a common ancestor that is likely to have occurred about 100 generations ago or about 2000 years. (If a faster mutation rate is used in the calculations this could be reduced to about 50 generations or about 1000 years, but the slower mutation rate is more conservative).<br />
So while we share a commonality in both being donor conceived we also share a common ancestor, and while we all share one if we go far enough back in time, it is quite ironic that some of us also share significant familial links beyond just being donor conceived.<br />
Such a link might be meaningless to many people but for those of us that have no knowledge of our paternal heritage such information is interesting nonetheless. <br />
The power of DNA genealogy makes the world a somewhat smaller place.damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-15595664917455200742013-09-09T15:46:00.003-07:002013-09-09T15:47:15.382-07:00On Being Wanted<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">This is something I wrote elsewhere but thought I'd share it here: </span></span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Before I start on that I will preface the following with saying that in
the outcomes for donor conceived people there is a whole rainbow of
emotions with some being completely happy and others who are traumatised
and everywhere else in between. All views are equally valid but we also
have to remember that this is a lifetime journey where views can change
dramatically during that time (they certainly have for me). For others
they will not change at all. Also note that I often use the term "some"
because not all are of the same perspective.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /> Ok now on to being
"wanted". I have heard this phrase used more times than I can count as
well as the matching statement that other children are born into other
scenarios which some people view as worse. What these statements do to
"some" offspring is they impose what is termed in the literature as
existential debt. This is where the child is aware of the efforts and
costs that their parents went through in obtaining them. Because of
this, "if" they do have any negative feelings they may be afraid of
voicing these in fear of hurting their parents feelings. This is termed
disenfranchised grief whereby the donor conceived person feels unable to
express or process their grief.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /> We as a society recognise the
tragedy when a child is born into a situation whereby the father may
have run off (dead beat dad) or the tragedy of when the birth parents
for whatever reason are unable to care for the child and have had to
give that child up for adoption. Yet we are still having difficulty
acknowledging the loss for donor conceived people simply because the
kinship separation was planned and that the child was wanted in this
manner.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /> Just as in any family the outcomes for any child will be
varied depending on a plethora of circumstances one of which is NOT
being wanted. Just as evidence of bad outcomes can occur from unplanned
parenthood, so too can evidence of good outcomes. Conversely the same
can be argued for when parenthood was planned and the child wanted,
there can be bad and good outcomes.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><br /> This post is not meant to offend
anyone in any way but rather as a means of presenting another
perspective that some people may not have thought about before. I do not
imply that every DC person will feel this way, far from it, but many
that I have had discussions with over a great many years do have
difficulty dealing with the use of the term "wanted" (others also feel
extremely happy about being wanted). Additionally just as some parents
and donors can be upset about terminology and various posts, so too can
the donor conceived.</span></span></span></div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-63078772255776593392013-07-15T15:52:00.000-07:002013-07-15T16:06:39.274-07:00The Fallacy of Donors Wanting to be AnonymousThis is a guest post from a former donor, Ian Smith, who wishes to dispell the myth that all donors who donated under conditions of anonymity wish to remain so. Clinics and Doctors are wrongfully speaking on these peoples behalf disseminating misinformation through the public media. Ian wants to set the record straight:<br />
<br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373927028335_4319">
<div class="yiv0887984492MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373927028335_4318" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<h3>
<b><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373927028335_4351" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Sperm donors – emerging from the
shadows
</span></b></h3>
</div>
<div class="yiv0887984492MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373927028335_4320" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373927028335_4419" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3525" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3596" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3595" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The voice of the sperm donor is
often the one less heard in debates on donor
conception. In relation to the issue of anonymity and possible
removal of that anonymity the donor's views are often the subject of conjecture,
assumption and assertion.<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3633"> But are
those assumptions right? For the most part I think not.
</span></span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3597" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3599" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3598" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Members of the medical profession
and others are often quick to assert the importance of the anonymity which
donors were (apparently) promised in the 1970’s and 80s when there was
significant expansion of donor conception practices in
</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Australia</span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3602" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">.<span> </span>Typical examples of such
assertions can be seen here <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/comment/allow-sperm-donors-the-right-to-maintain-their-past-anonymity-20130507-2j5o4.html" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3601" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3600" style="color: purple;">http://www.theage.com.au/comment/allow-sperm-donors-the-right-to-maintain-their-past-anonymity-20130507-2j5o4.html</span></a><span> </span>and here <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/why-the-promise-to-sperm-donors-must-be-honoured-20120410-1wmus.html" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3608" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3607" style="color: purple;">http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/why-the-promise-to-sperm-donors-must-be-honoured-20120410-1wmus.html</span></a></span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3634" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3636" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3635" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Recently and
increasingly sperm donors are speaking up for themselves – and for the most part
they reject the notion that they wish to hide behind veils of anonymity.<span> </span>I am a member of that group of former
donors who are speaking up.<span>
</span>See for example this piece <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/father-figures-20111112-1ncxt.html" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3637" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/father-figures-20111112-1ncxt.html</a><span> </span>which in turn encouraged other former
donors to make contact with me.<span>
</span>Peter Liston is one such – a piece featuring an interview with him here
<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sperm-donor-steps-up-for-offspring-who-want-to-know-20121208-2b2ej.html" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3638" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sperm-donor-steps-up-for-offspring-who-want-to-know-20121208-2b2ej.html</a>
and a piece on which Peter and I collaborated here <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/allow-our-donor-children-to-know-their-heritage/story-fni0ffsx-1226679227163" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3639" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/allow-our-donor-children-to-know-their-heritage/story-fni0ffsx-1226679227163</a></span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3640" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3642" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3641" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">From these connections with former
donors a group has evolved – the Melbourne Anonymous Donors (MADMen).<span> </span>Using that group as the base I
recently undertook a small research study exploring the views of sperm
donors.<span> </span>That has now been published
in a special – donor conception focused - edition of the Australian Journal of
Adoption <a href="http://www.nla.gov.au/openpublish/index.php/aja/issue/current" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.nla.gov.au/openpublish/index.php/aja/issue/current</a>.</span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3643" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3645" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3644" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I interviewed seven former donors
from the 1970s and 80s.<span> </span>Key issues
explored included:</span></div>
<ul id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3648" style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3647" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3646" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Motivations for being a donor</span>
</li>
<li class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3650" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3649" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Did donors give informed consent?</span>
</li>
<li class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3652" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3651" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Their thoughts of the children born</span>
</li>
<li class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3654" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3653" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The issue of anonymity – was it promised or
imposed?</span>
</li>
<li class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3656" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3655" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Contact – actual or potential</span>
</li>
<li class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3658" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3657" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">What name to use for sperm donors? </span>
</li>
<li class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3660" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3659" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Attitudes to proposed changes to Victorian legislation to remove
anonymity for pre-1988 donors.</span>
</li>
<li class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3662" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3661" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Reflections and observations on being a sperm donor – with the
benefit of hindsight, would they do it again?</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3664" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3663" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">While the sample in this study is
small, it nonetheless opens a window to an area that has until now been largely
shrouded in mystery and thus open to the kind of assertions by and from the
medical fraternity which are noted at the beginning of this post.<span> </span>The interviews demonstrate that – at
least for this group – the children fathered are far from forgotten.<span> </span>Rather these men think actively of
them and hope to meet and know their offspring (and in some cases have achieved
that.<span> </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3665" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Far from being a fearful of the removal of anonymity the past sperm
donors whose views are reported here will welcome and embrace such change.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3666" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3668" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">The full article:<span> </span>“</span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3667" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Sperm donors – moving out of the shadows. Contact and connection
between former sperm donors and their offspring - experiences and perspectives”
is worth a read.<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3687"> </span>You can find
it here: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.nla.gov.au/openpublish/index.php/aja/article/view/3061/3607" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.nla.gov.au/openpublish/index.php/aja/article/view/3061/3607</a></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3669" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3671" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3670" lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">I welcome comment and questions on this topic:<span> </span>iwsmith@netspace.net.au
</span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3685" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv6153824132MsoNormal" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1373929459160_3684" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Ian.</span></div>
</span></div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-8264840244956676232013-07-06T01:54:00.001-07:002013-07-06T02:08:09.453-07:00Genetic Genealogy Trumps AnonymityHere is the abstract to a paper I just wrote and published on this subject. The link below will take you to the full article, just click on the full text pdf link on the Australian Journal of Adoption website (it is open access (free)).<br />
<b>Building a Family Tree: Donor-Conveived People, DNA Tracing and Donor 'Anonymity'</b><br />
<div>
<i>Damian Adams, Sonia Allan</i></div>
Abstract<br />
<div>
Genealogical tracing of ancestors has existed across cultures and
throughout history for thousands of years. Today it is a popular
pastime for many, with motivations ranging from a desire to place
themselves and their family within a larger historical picture, to
preserving the past for future generations, to having a sense of
self-satisfaction in accurate storytelling. It may also serve to assist
people in framing their identify and building a picture of themselves.
It may create a sense of connectedness and kinship. This is so for
donor-conceived people, as it is with many others that search for
information about their family history and heritage. <br />
<br />
This paper considers the obstacles to searching that donor-conceived
people face. In particular, the secrecy that has surrounded donor
conception has meant that many do not have access to the records that
would identify their donor(s) or siblings. It examines the use of DNA
testing, to assist. It is shown that, while proving a useful tool for
some, such testing may not be enough for others. That donor-conceived
people are denied access to records that would provide them with the
information they seek is questioned. The authors therefore support laws
that would provide access to records. Options of enabling contact vetoes
or contact preferences are explored, as a way to ensure that people are
comfortable that privacy and confidentiality will be protected.</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.nla.gov.au/openpublish/index.php/aja/article/view/3024" target="_blank">http://www.nla.gov.au/openpublish/index.php/aja/article/view/3024 </a></div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-3422389101550502552013-07-02T15:57:00.003-07:002013-07-02T15:57:19.301-07:00New BBC Documentary on DC<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><i>I have no connection with this production. The producers have asked me to circulate information regarding their request to speak to people. Please contact them directly if you are interested: </i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Award-winning British
filmmaker Sue Bourne has recently been commissioned by BBC2 to make a major new
documentary about the Danish sperm industry and is looking for people to assist
her with her research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What is intriguing is the
fact that this small country has become <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i>
major player in the sperm bank business internationally. Why has this happened,
and what are the possible consequences? This film will follow the compelling
human stories at the heart of the international sperm trade, to increase public
understanding of this complex, fascinating and often-misunderstood issue. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We are very keen to talk to
all the people who are involved in each stage of the sperm bank business – the
clientele coming to Denmark or having the sperm shipped to where they live; the
donors, the staff, the clinics and of course the donor conceived children as
well. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">In particular we would love
to speak to families and individuals who were created using a Danish sperm
donor. We would like to understand more about what it’s like growing up as a DC
child? What are your thoughts and feeling around the anonymity debate? Have you
ever felt the need to track down your donor? What advice would you give to
individuals and couples who are considering donor insemination today? Whatever
your point of view, we would love to hear from you. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">At this stage we are just
having informal phone conversations with people. These chats can be completely
confidential and there is no obligation to take part in the final film. It
would just be great if you could help us increase our understanding of all the
different issues involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">If you might be interested in
having an initial phone conversation with Sue’s team, please do get in touch
with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sarah Harris (Assistant Producer)
at Wellpark Productions on 020 8932 0133 / 07958710362 or sarahhar@gmail.com</b></span></div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31276461.post-71141830204979647402013-05-12T22:50:00.000-07:002013-05-12T22:50:11.098-07:00Past Donor Assumptions<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Currently in Australia there is quite a vocal backlash from
the fertility clinics about the possibility of introducing retrospective access
for donor conceived people to identifying information on the gamete donors
(their biological fathers and mothers). Typically there will be claims that it
would be erroneous and a serious breach of trust and perhaps even contract to
introduce retrospectivity onto donors who were originally promised anonymity.
Whether or not you agree with retrospectivity is not something I wish to debate
in this post but rather the assumptions that the clinics are using for their
argument.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is an assumption that all donors who donated under
anonymity conditions wish to remain anonymous. Sure some will do but others won’t.
A serious problem here is that the donors had NO option when they donated. They
were not given the option of ticking a box that said anonymous or willing to be
known. Anonymity was mandatory and after speaking to several donors who did
donate at the time, quite a few of those have said that they would have been
willing to be identifiable if they were given that option. But they simply were
not allowed to do so. Currently they are still not being given the freedom to
choose as they are not being asked at an individual level whether they wish to
remain anonymous or become identifiable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They also assume that donors do not change their minds over
time. Research by renowned donor conception researcher Daniels et al show that
many past donors do in fact address their thoughts and emotion in regard to
their donation over the course of their lifetimes. Some of them do in fact
become more open to the exchange of information when they originally wanted
anonymity (certainly not all, but some do).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Additionally they assume that past anonymous donors do not
want contact with their offspring. The longest running voluntary register in
Australia (Victoria) has more donors on its lists than it does donor offspring.
Which I think speaks volumes in itself. This shows that the proportion of past
anonymous donors that wish to remain anonymous is not as large as the clinics
would lead us to believe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are being constantly bombarded by clinics speaking on
behalf of donors when they in fact have not canvased the views of those donors.
They are making claims based on assumptions without actually speaking to the
people they are advocating on the behalf of. Which pretty much is a fail of Advocacy101.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now what is that phrase about the word ASSUME again? (rhetorical
question)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</div>
damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com2