I cannot remember a time in my life that I did not know I was donor conceived. I was raised by the most amazing single mother and never lacked anything, but I was constantly reminded I did not have a dad.
I was born in London to two mums who used an anonymous sperm donor to conceive me. I was raised knowing my conception story, as it was talked about casually, and all my questions were answered to their best ability as I grew up.
I’m sure I said, “It’s actually a ‘donor’ not a father.” I can remember my voice saying, “Our daughter doesn’t have a dad. She has two moms.” But much of that changed for me when I found out about my own donor conception experience.
An intended parent wonders about the pros and cons of choosing a known donor versus an Open-ID-at-18 donor with her wife.
An intended parent wonders about the implications of using an embryo created with an egg from an anonymous donor in Peru.
Short answer: no. Regardless of the contract or paperwork a donor signs, it is simply unrealistic to believe any donor can remain anonymous.
Guest blog by Peter J. Boni, author of Uprooted: Family Trauma, Unknown Origins, and the Secretive History of Artificial Insemination
On a recent episode of Dr. Phil, host Phil McGraw interviewed a 30-year-old man named Kyle who operates as a pro bono private sperm donor.
Are you a former donor or considering becoming one? Read this guide.