News

The Project Group on Assisted Reproduction is calling on the government to remove the anonymity given to sperm, egg and embryo donors.

More than 2,000 people are born following sperm, egg and embryo donation every year, but under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, they have no effective rights to pursue information about their status or their donors.

Progar, a group with representatives from organisations such as the British Association of Social Workers and the Association of Directors of Social Services, wants the government to end the current discriminatory practice by removing the "blanket anonymity". It would also like to see a comprehensive record system containing information such as medical details of all donors, as well as services for families and individuals directly affected by donor-assisted treatment.

"People born through donor-assisted conception are the only people in this country who are deliberately prevented by the state from knowing the truth about their genetic origins," said Elizabeth Wincott, chairperson of Progar.

"Progar believes that access to this information is a basic human right. Without it, fundamental questions about individuals' origins and identity will remain unanswered and generations of people will be denied knowledge of their genetic history."

The government is currently consulting over the disclosure of information about sperm, egg and embryo donors. Responses are required by 1 July.

- For more on donor information go to www.doh.gov.uk/gametedonors