18 Jun 2024

Donor conception study: what the kids know

From Nine To Noon, 9:25 am on 18 June 2024
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Photo: 123RF

Researchers are asking parents of children conceived via sperm, egg and embryo donations if they've disclosed their origin. A cohort of donor-conceived New Zealand children are about to become the first who can legally request information about their birth parents. 

There was a law change 20 years ago which created a register of donors - which came into effect in 2006. So, that means donor conceived babies born in that year (2006)  are now turning 18 -  and have the right to seek the information from Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cindy Farquhar  is at the helm of a nationwide survey of parents of donor-conceived children. One of the main questions is - Have you told your children yet that they were donor conceived ?