Eighth Edition - R.3 - Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

HFEA guidance (cont)
The importance of informing children of their donor origins
Interpretation of mandatory requirements
The centre must give patients seeking treatment with donor gametes and embryos information about
the importance of telling any resultant children, at an early age, of their donor-conceived origins.
The centre must also give patients information on suitable methods of informing children of their
donor-conceived origins.
20A
20.7 The centre should tell people who seek treatment with donated gametes or embryos that it is best for any
resulting child to be told about their origin early in childhood. There is evidence that finding out suddenly,
later in life, about donor origins can be emotionally damaging to children and to family relations.
20.8 The centre should encourage and prepare patients to be open with their children from an early age about
how they were conceived. The centre should give patients information about how counselling may allow
them to explore the implications of treatment, in particular how information may be shared with any
resultant children.
Implications of donor conception and the provision of counselling
20.9 If it is possible that the question of treatment with donated gametes or embryos may arise, the centre
should raise this with the person or couple seeking treatment before their treatment starts. The centre
should allow people enough time to consider the implications of using donated gametes or embryos, and
to receive counselling before giving consent.
See also guidance note:
3 – Counselling
Access to information for donors, donor-conceived people and parents
Interpretation of mandatory requirements
A donor may request information from a centre as to the number, sex, and birth year of any children
born by means of their gametes or embryos. If the centre holds that information, it must provide it,
unless the person responsible considers that special circumstances increase the likelihood of the donor
being able to identify any of those children.
20B
20.10 The centre should inform people seeking treatment with donated gametes or embryos that the donor will
be able to request the following information about any children born as a result of their donated gametes
or embryos:
(a)
the number of children born
(b)
(c)
their sex, and
their year of birth.
20.11 The centre should inform people seeking treatment with donated gametes or embryos that any resulting
children will have access to the following non-identifying information about the donor (if the donor has
provided it) from the age of 16:
(a)
physical description (height, weight, and eye, hair and skin colours)
(b)
(c)
year and country of birth
ethnic group
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Guidance note | 20. Donor-assisted conception
Version 1.0