Sperm, egg donors may be identified

LONDON, England (Reuters) -- The British government said on Wednesday that it may allow people born from donated sperm or eggs to find out the identity of their biological parents.

Current legislation entitles people over 18 -- or children over 16 who intend to get married -- to know that they were conceived from donated sperm or eggs, but not the identity of the donor.

But that guideline, laid down in the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, will be reviewed in 2001, according to the Department of Health.

A spokeswoman said a public consultation will begin some time in the new year to determine how much information children are given about their donor, such as their background, education and interests.

"Or, there is the possibility of laying regulations which would allow children to get information which would identify a donor, such as their name or address," she said.

No such information would be given out without the prior consent of the donors themselves, she added.

Any change in the law would not be retroactive, so people who have been donors in the past would be unaffected.

According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, up to one in six couples has difficulty in conceiving, with many of those going on to seek specialist medical advice and treatment.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Department of Health
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

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