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Latest Surrogacy News
Removal of Sperm Donor Anonymity Reports
Condemned
By Tom Kelly, PA News January
17, 2003
The
Scotsman
Medical experts today condemned reports that children
born from sperm donors are to be given the right to
trace their biological fathers.
The move, expected to be announced next week by Public
Health Minister Melanie Johnson, followed a review of
fertility legislation, according to the Times.
Officials ruled that future sperm donors should lose
their right to anonymity once their offspring turn 18.
The Department of Health refused to comment on the
report, but said an announcement on the issue would be
made “shortly”.
Fertility doctors warned that ending anonymity would
worsen the shortage of donated sperm used for treating
infertility.
Paul Serhal, of University College Hospital, London,
said: “We are already having problems recruiting donors,
and if this happens the supply will dry up completely.”
A Department of Health spokesman said: “The official
public consultation of donor anonymity took place
between December 2001 and July 2002.
“Following consideration of the consultation responses
the then public health minister Hazel Blears announced
on January 28 2003 that before making any decision as to
whether to remove anonymity for future egg sperm and
embryo donors, she wanted to obtain more information
about the possible impact of such a change.
“Ministers are currently considering the further
information received and an announcement will be made
shortly.”
Under the plans, donors would have no legal obligations
towards their children, and would not have to meet them
if they did not want to.
About 1,000 children are born in Britain each year from
artificial insemination. Three-quarters of donors are
students.
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