Group in push to identify egg and sperm donors

THE identities of Tasmanians who have donated eggs and sperm anonymously to help couples conceive would be ­revealed if a push for legis­lative change was successful.

Victoria this year enacted world-first legislation that gives all donor-­conceived people the right to learn their donor’s identity without needing consent from the donor. Picture: ISTOCK

THE identities of Tasmanians who have donated eggs and sperm anonymously to help couples conceive would be ­revealed if a push for legis­lative change was successful.

A national support group lobbying for the rights of donor-conceived offspring ­delivered a submission last week to a state parliamentary inquiry looking into IVF donor conception practices.

The Donor Conception Support Group told the inquiry Tasmania should follow the lead of Victoria, which this year enacted world-first legislation that gives all donor-­conceived people the right to learn their donor’s identity without needing consent from the donor.

“It is a basic human right to know one’s heritage, a right that most children are born into and most adults take for granted,” the submission says.

Fertility specialist Dr Bill Watkins has warned against forcing ­donors to reveal identities.

But Tasmanian fertility specialist Bill Watkins, who is medical director for TasIVF, has warned against forcing ­donors to reveal identities.

“We believe that the rights of the donors who gave these gifts need protection,” Dr ­Watkins said.

“Some are now happy to be identified, others are strongly opposed to the release of their information. Release of information without consent may have negative outcomes for the donor and their extended family that require very careful consideration.

“We need these donors on our side, not fearing us.”

TasIVF is concerned ­coercion could hinder establishment of a statewide donor registry, which would rely on past donors coming forward voluntarily to supply medical history — but not necessarily identity.

Since 2004, TasIVF has ­required all donors to consent to the release of identifying ­information when a child reaches 18.

Before 2004 many donors agreed to the release of their identity, but not all.

There were 212 births before 2004 through the various Hobart fertility clinics.

In its submission, the Donor Conception Support Group of Australia says the interests of the offspring are paramount and they deserve to know not only their donor’s medical background but identity.

“We understand the controversial nature of the retrospective information rights,” it says. “However, we believe the needs and interests of our children, and all people created through donor conception, must be of paramount ­concern.”

National support group co-ordinator Caroline Lorbach said such rights were given to adopted children years ago.

“It completes the person’s identity to know who they are related to,” Ms Lorbach said.

Yesterday’s hearings at the Inquiry into Donor Conception Practices in Tasmania also heard from Civil Liberties Australia, the Australian Christian Lobby and Tasmania’s Commissioner for Children and Young People.

There will be further hearings before the committee is due to publish its report by March.

Originally published as Group in push to identify egg and sperm donors