tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32243688225889003872024-02-22T11:40:48.640-05:00Donor Conceived Perspectives: Voices from the OffspringHave you ever wondered whatever happens to the children created by sperm donors? We are adult donor conceived people from all over the world, and these are our stories. We are females and males aged 17 to 65, and come from three continents, with varying views towards our conception, but we all share one thing in common...our biological father was a sperm donor.Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00120794007899168522noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-58467037041473762422015-03-16T12:29:00.004-04:002015-03-16T13:06:10.313-04:00'Donor' conceived, Dr. Joanna Rose, Youtube...(Please listen, pass along and share)
YouTube
# 1: Dr. Joanna Rose speaks on living in a family created through SPERM DONATION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=917LoDRa67M
YouTube
#2: Dr. Joanna Rose addresses what the problem is with Ireland legalizing sperm and egg donation and Ireland's Children's and Family Relationships bill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahYiO-x6fTg
YouTube
#3: Dr. Joanna Rose addresses, is sperm and egg donation in the best interests of children?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFSYWQKCyXw
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-22695654689756027052015-03-15T18:31:00.002-04:002015-03-15T18:31:28.769-04:00Susan Golombok, overstepping the line...(***Got bias? According to "Professor" Susan Golombok, the only problem with so called 'donor' conception is stigmatisation from outside influences. In other words, the disenfranchised grief many 'donor' conceived feel is only a result of the nature of importance that society puts on genetic relationships. Really?? No. This is where we draw the line.***)
"Stigmatisation, not structure, causes problems for children in ‘non-traditional’ families
‘Quality of relationships matters most to the well-being of families’
It is stigmatisation outside the family, rather than relationships within it, that creates difficulties for children in new family forms, says Professor Susan Golombok of the Centre for Family Research within the University of Cambridge."
Read more:
http://www.familylawweek.co.uk/site.aspx?i=ed143734
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-52594227297778352015-02-02T16:40:00.001-05:002015-02-02T16:40:12.959-05:00Are You Donor Conceived?With the majority of offspring not being told they are donor conceived a group of donor conceived people are asking "Are you donor conceived?"<br /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=85114404&v=U4canXMOELg&x-yt-ts=1422579428">https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=85114404&v=U4canXMOELg&x-yt-ts=1422579428</a>damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-23898847543622869572013-12-04T20:16:00.001-05:002013-12-04T20:16:58.948-05:00Academic Journals with Editions Devoted to Donor ConceptionThe Australian Journal of Adoption - this journal is freely available and all of the articles can be accessed through the link below. This edition Vol 7 no 3 of 2013 was created in the memory of Narelle Grech a donor conceived woman and DC activist and blogger (<a href="http://t5sdaughter.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">T5</a>)<br />
<a href="http://www.nla.gov.au/openpublish/index.php/aja/issue/view/248/showToc">http://www.nla.gov.au/openpublish/index.php/aja/issue/view/248/showToc</a><br />
<br />
The Journal of Law and Medicine, June edition of 2012 - while it is not freely available to the public you might be able to access it through a university library.<br />
<a href="http://blog.thomsonreuters.com.au/2012/05/special-issue-on-donor-conception-journal-of-law-and-medicine/">http://blog.thomsonreuters.com.au/2012/05/special-issue-on-donor-conception-journal-of-law-and-medicine/</a>damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-35823541841748652512012-05-14T13:59:00.001-04:002012-05-14T13:59:44.173-04:00Media Request - Donor-Conceived in Washington DCSusan Koster, a Washington DC reporter with Voice of America, is interested in
doing a video story on people conceived through sperm donation. If you are donor-conceived, live within two hours of Washington DC, and are willing to be filmed, please contact her directly.
Susan Logue Koster
Features Reporter for Voice of America
e-mail: skoster@voanews.comKathleen R. LaBounty - kathleen.ruby.labounty@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03410364055320405830noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-64792743990673507682011-09-07T18:55:00.000-04:002011-09-07T18:55:39.302-04:00Let's retrospectively release information to Australia's donor-conceivedfrom Bionews:<br />
http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_104517.asp<br />
<span class="date"><span class="date">05 September 2011</span></span><br />
<span class="date">By </span><span class="author"><a href="http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_104520.asp">Dr Sonia Allan</a></span><br />
<span class="text">PhD(Law), LLB(Hons), BA(Psych)(Hons) Grad Dip LP, GCHE, Senior Lecturer Law, Deakin University; Global Health Law Fellow, Georgetown University Law Center 2011; Churchill Fellow 2011</span><br />
Appeared in BioNews <a href="http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_105851.asp">623</a><br />
<span class="text">An Australian commercial television station recently ran a news story about a donor-conceived woman who has heritable bowel cancer (1). She did not inherit it from her mother. She is denied access to information about her <a class="glink" href="http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_1714.asp">sperm</a> donor because he donated before laws in Victoria enabled information to be released to the donor-conceived. She cannot contact her eight half-siblings, who share that donor, to warn them they may be at risk. <br />
This story reminds us that people conceived using donor <a class="glink" href="http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_1686.asp">gametes</a> have good reasons for wanting information. In fact, it is crucial. It is a matter of identity, medical history, avoiding risks or fears of forming consanguineous relationships, and knowing your genealogical heritage. For others, it is about needing a name so they don't have to refer to their donor as 'donor' or by a clinic code. <br />
In February 2011, an Australian Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry into donor conception and identification recommended national legislation be passed to allow access to information as 'a matter of priority'. The Committee also requested a national register be set up to allow information exchange (2). Such recommendations recognised the need for information and the lack of uniformity across the nation.<br />
Several Australian states, including Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia, already require donors to consent to the release of information before donating. But - as the law in each state was introduced at different times - donor-conceived individuals are treated differently depending on when and where gamete donation took place. Information about donors has been available in Victoria since 1988, subject to donor consent, and - since 1998 - consent prior to donating gametes has been compulsory. <br />
Other jurisdictions are governed by other guidelines. These have, since 2004, meant clinics cannot use donated gametes unless the donor has consented to releasing identifying information to people conceived using their gametes (3).<br />
The question in all jurisdictions remains whether to allow information to be released retrospectively. This is currently the subject of further inquiry in Victoria (4).<br />
Unfortunately, some commentators object to releasing information retrospectively, arguing a donor's privacy should prevail. But in Australia a 'right' to privacy, while valued, is not absolute. In fact, there are many cases in law where a person's information can be released, including where genetic relatives are at imminent risk of disease. <br />
Other commentators argue donors had a contract for anonymity. But a sample of consent forms signed in the 1970s and 1980s by donors and recipients in Australia reveal they did not prohibit a clinic from releasing information to donor-conceived people (5). They only prevented the release of information to the donor about the recipient parent and vice versa, and - in some cases - ensured the donor would not seek information about the child. <br />
Finally, there is the argument that some donor-conceived people do not want information. But this is no reason to ignore the call from many donor-conceived people who do. The call is getting louder as they marry and have families. Their information remains on file while they are told they cannot have it and cannot pass it on to their children.<br />
Another thing missing from all the opposing arguments is many donors want to exchange information, but do not have an avenue to do so. Parents of donor-conceived people are in similar distress. They want to be open and honest with their families, but are being denied. <br />
I argue that the question we should be asking is - not if information should be released - but how? <br />
Australia's adoption policy is a useful model for release of donor information. All states and territories in Australia passed retrospective legislation that allows adoptees to access information about their genetic heritage. The system protects people's privacy by allowing them to bar contact, whilst allowing for information to be released. <br />
The NSW Law Reform Commission in the 1990s concluded that passing retrospective laws allowed the competing interests of different groups to be balanced. They wrote: '[T]he view that prevailed was that the law should enable adopted persons and birth parents to have the right to information, even though this did mean a change from the position as it was when the adoption order was made. The interests of those who felt threatened by the new law were acknowledged by a contact veto system' (6). <br />
'Information vetoes' were also once possible, but now only remain in South Australia. Interestingly, Queensland enacted retrospective legislation in 2010 that removed 'information vetoes' to redress the injustice suffered by more than 3,000 Queenslanders adopted before 1991. There are an estimated 60,000 donor-conceived people in Australia.<br />
The manifest injustice suffered by donor-conceived people, donors and recipients who need information outweighs arguments that some donors wish to remain anonymous. It is not about making donors into parents - they carry no legal 'rights' or 'responsibilities' in law. Rather, it is about exchanging information. <br />
Sensitivity, counselling, education and public awareness campaigns prior to legislation coming into force would help counter some of the objections. Contact vetoes could be placed to protect the privacy of donors who do not wish to form a relationship with the donor-conceived or their families (7). <br />
While some may argue passing retrospective legislation creates 'potential for injustice, distrust and panic', this misunderstands how such legislation works. The Victorian Adoption Network for Information and Self Help (VANISH) says - despite initial anxiety about the retrospective release of adoption information - it is now well accepted that people wanting information about themselves is normal. The experiences of all involved have been, more often than not, positive. <br />
Donor-conceived individuals deserve the same.<br />
</span> <h5>SOURCES & REFERENCES</h5><table class="clastab"><tbody>
<tr id="PAJLST2_1"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" valign="top"> <div><span class="sourceheader"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mLdw3v1pkI" target="_blank">1) See Donor Disclosure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mLdw3v1pkI</a></span></div></td></tr>
<tr> <td><span style="color: darkgrey;">Ten News</span> <span style="color: gainsboro;">|</span> <em><span style="color: darkgrey;"><span title="Wednesday">27 July 2011</span></span></em><br />
</td></tr>
<tr id="PAJLST2_2"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" valign="top"> <div><span class="sourceheader">2) Donor Conception Practices in Australia</span></div></td></tr>
<tr> <td><span style="color: darkgrey;">Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Reference Committee</span> <span style="color: gainsboro;">|</span> <em><span style="color: darkgrey;">2011</span></em><br />
</td></tr>
<tr id="PAJLST2_3"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" valign="top"> <div><span class="sourceheader">3) Ethical Guidelines on the Use of Assisted Reproductive in Clinical Practice and Research</span></div></td></tr>
<tr> <td><span style="color: darkgrey;">National Health and Medical Research Council</span> <span style="color: gainsboro;">|</span> <em><span style="color: darkgrey;">2007</span></em><br />
</td></tr>
<tr id="PAJLST2_4"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" valign="top"> <div><span class="sourceheader"><a href="http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/lawreform/inquiry/300" target="_blank">4) Inquiry Into Access by Donor Conceived People to Information about the Donors</a></span></div></td></tr>
<tr> <td><span style="color: darkgrey;">Victorian Law Reform Committee</span> <span style="color: gainsboro;">|</span> <em><span style="color: darkgrey;">2011</span></em><br />
</td></tr>
<tr id="PAJLST2_5"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" valign="top"> <div><span class="sourceheader">5) Contracts kindly provided to author by donors, recipients and donor conceived individuals</span></div></td></tr>
<tr> <td><span style="color: darkgrey;"></span> <span style="color: gainsboro;">|</span> </td></tr>
<tr id="PAJLST2_6"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" valign="top"> <div><span class="sourceheader">6) Review of the Adoption Information Act 1990 Issues Paper 7 (1992), Chapter 3, [3.14]</span></div></td></tr>
<tr> <td><span style="color: darkgrey;">New South Wales Law Reform Commission</span> <span style="color: gainsboro;">|</span> <em><span style="color: darkgrey;"></span></em><br />
</td></tr>
<tr id="PAJLST2_7"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" valign="top"> <div><span class="sourceheader">7) See Sonia Allan, 'Psycho-Social, Ethical and Legal Arguments For and Against the Retrospective Release of Information about Donors to Donor-Conceived Individuals in Australia'</span></div></td></tr>
<tr> <td><span style="color: darkgrey;">19(2) Journal of Law and Medicine (Forthcoming)</span> <span style="color: gainsboro;">|</span> <em><span style="color: darkgrey;">2011</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-65973665345989802732011-07-01T20:20:00.000-04:002011-07-01T20:22:27.434-04:00An Open Letter to the ASRM from a Donor Conceived Adulthttp://www.donorsiblingregistry.com/blog/?p=283<br /><br />An Open Letter to the ASRM from a Donor Conceived Adult<br />Posted on July 1, 2011 by wendykr <br />An open letter to the ASRM from Susan Kane, a donor conceived person, in response to Todd Essing’s commentary (Balancing the Rights of Donor Offspring With Those of Donors: But What About Parents? Forbes. June 30/11, http://tinyurl.com/Essig-2011-06-30) which was a response to the commentary that Naomi Cahn and myself placed in BioNews last week (The Birth of Donor Offspring Rights in the USA?, http://tinyurl.com/6ce5kny).<br />=================================================<br /><br />As a donor-conceived adult, I appreciate Todd Essing’s observation that “law is a blunt instrument” for managing the gap between technology and social norms governing its use. (Forbes, see above link)<br /><br />And yet, law is exactly where we turn when people and industries fail to regulate themselves. And, despite Essing’s feeling that gamete donation — with us for over 100 years — is “new”, we have decades of evidence that the current norms and regulations governing gamete donation in the United States are failing everyone.<br /><br />Following are three quotes from donor conceived adults from this week’s article published in Human Reproduction entitled: “Offspring searching for their sperm donors: how family type shapes the process”<br /><br />“It makes me angry that I am denied the basic right of knowing who my father was and what ethnicity I am.”<br /><br />“I am curious as to what my biological father is like, do I have any siblings, what were his parents like.”<br /><br />“The man who raised me is still my dad, but I’m pissed off . . . I’m missing half of my genetic medical history.”<br /><br />It’s curious to me that masturbating into a cup or donating eggs seems to Essing an entirely different thing than the more commonly known way of conceiving a baby but not raising it, namely, adoption.<br /><br />Which part is so confusing? Is it the cup? The presence of doctors? The fact that this is an intentional act on all sides? Does the payment make it confusing? Is it all that pretty, shiny, technology?<br /><br />Let me ask you for a favor. Stop looking at the cup. It doesn’t have the answers we need. Look me in the eye instead. As it turns out, I’m just like every other human. So, pull our your Psych 101 text and keep it handy while we chat. It applies to me too.<br /><br />As anyone in the mental health field should know, decades and decades of adoption research has taught us that secrecy in families causes damage. It has taught us that learning that your parents are not your parents late in life wreaks havoc on your basic sense of trust. Most of all, adoption has taught us that genes matter.<br /><br />They don’t matter more than love. I never said they did. But I challenge you to find an adoption professional in North America today who would tell you that genetics is irrelevant in family creation. Genes matter — today more than ever.<br /><br />Genes matter to donor families. These families have specifically pursued infertility treatment rather than adoption. The fertility industry *exists* because genes matter. Allowing people to pass on their genetic material is what fertility treatment *does*. It amazes me that genes can matter to the families and doctors you serve and yet both you and Allison Rosen can’t believe that they also matter to *me*.<br /><br />Who exactly gets to decide whether donor anonymity — being cut off from part of your genetic heritage — matters? Is it the parents of donor children? Is it the donors, kind people that they are? Doctors? Forbes’ columnists? Mental health professionals?<br /><br />The answer, Mr. Essing, is that we do. We get to decide whether it matters to us. And the answer is: it does.<br /><br />I’m sorry that your professional group chose not to learn anything from adoption research, but I’m here to tell you that the kids are all grown up. We’re not children under our parents’ care — we are teenagers, we are college students, we are the grown parents of our own children. We’ve thought about this system that you so carefully constructed and we’ve decided that it sucks. I’m sorry.<br /><br />I know that you’re worried about the families and donors you counsel. I appreciate your concern. But I want you — the expert — to look ahead on their behalf, to help them think about the teenager, the college student, the parent. Your job is to advocate *not* for the family sitting before you, but for the family they are about to become — the one that includes a donor child, to whom genes matter.<br /><br />And if the ASRM had done this, there would be no need for a law in Washington State — because donor anonymity would no longer exist. But you failed to advocate for us. You chose convenience over conscience. You chose the present tense over the lessons of history. And so we have stepped in to do your job — to advocate for the long-term mental health of donor families. We plan to create a new system that does not pit the needs of children against their parents or their donors. And there will, unfortunately, be conflict between us — until you start listening to everyone you are supposed to serve.<br /><br />Listen, Mr. Essing. I’m not an angry teenager. I’m a 43 year old woman with two children of my own, also conceived by DI. And what I and other DC adults are telling you, and other members of the ASRM, is that you are *wrong*. You are totally, entirely, and dangerously wrong.<br /><br />Your policies are wrong, your thinking is wrong, and most importantly, you are on the wrong side of history. I’m very sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Everyone did the best they could, but the system is terribly flawed and we all hate it. We’re telling you to change it now, before we sue.<br /><br />There aren’t many “older” adults like me. We’re everywhere, of course, but you can’t organize a group of people who are dreaming. But there’s an entire *army* of DC adults coming of age, right now, as we speak. Do you really want to fight the very children you helped create — in court?<br /><br />It’s your choice. Future generations of textbook writers will judge your actions. When social norms fall behind technology, we need to create them, not wring our hands and wonder what will happen. I’ll see you on the battlefield of history. May the best ideas, the best practices, the best path forward — win.<br /><br />Susan Kane<br />Boston, MA<br />July 1, 2011Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-34028819812776290452011-05-18T00:05:00.000-04:002011-05-18T00:05:12.858-04:00My Daddy's Name is Adoption - NOT!In a recent Bionews article Vince Londini (a DC recipient parent) takes exception to the MDND report and one of the authors support of adoption but not donor conception.<br />
<a href="http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_93262.asp">http://www.bionews.org.uk/page_93262.asp</a> <br />
His argument being that he views DC and adoption, due to some of the consequences of such actions as being comparable and therefore that the MDND authors viewpoint does not hold water. It is my opinion that his perception of both processes is narrow minded and fails to take into account a vital element. I posted a comment on the Bionews article but unless you are a member of that site you will not be able to see the comment so I have reposted it here: <br />
<br />
Mr Londini puts together a fairly convincing argument........on the surface. The flaw in his analysis is to compare adoption to donor conception on equal terms, on a comparing apples to apples basis. <br />
<br />
<br />
Certainly, in both situations the child is deprived of one or both genetic parents. Certainly both groups shared similar outcomes in mental health, substance abuse and delinquency in the MDND report. Certainly the two groups share similarities which is even acknowledged by groups such as the Evan B Donaldson Adoption Institute. However, the key and most important difference is intent. <br />
<br />
Adoption is used as a last resort to ameliorate, but not solve, the tragedy of an existing child whose biological parents are unable for whatever reason to care for it. In this situation the people who have created the child never intentionally set out to create one that would have to be relinquished for adoption. It occurs either through accidental conception or circumstance. Donor conception on the other hand is a completely different kettle of fish. Even prior to the childs conception which is deliberately preplanned, the intent is to separate and deprive the child of one or both biological connections. It is not the result of happenstance or circumstance. <br />
<br />
While some of the outcomes for the child may have similarities, the premise of the two sitautions are not comparale. <br />
<br />
It is completely understandable that Mr Londini would take exception to the MDND report as a recipient of donor conception practices. To agree with the conclusions would potentially create emotional trauma for himself. For those parents who have since undertaken donor conception and have come to the realisation (whether right or wrong) that their decision may have harmed their child in any way, it becomes a difficult and lifelong journey of assimilating and processing that concept. This statement is not a defence of the MDND report or its recommendations, nor is it a defence of adoption practices, just a statement that acknowledges the emotional and philosophical complexities of those who have made the decision to undergo donor conception.damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-7081674703810727402010-10-07T12:11:00.003-04:002010-10-07T12:16:23.763-04:00Anonymous Us: A story collective projectPosted here with permission from author, Alana Stewart:<br /><br />I am writing to tell you about and seek your participation in a story collective endeavor called "The Anonymous Us Project". This is an opportunity for everyone involved in reproductive technologies to tell the world what they really think about donor conception: the good, the bad, and the ugly- all in the atmosphere of, you guessed it, anonymity.<br /><br />I, Alana Stewart, Founder of The Anonymous Us Project and self-proclaimed Donor Kid, viscerally understand the potential conflict of vocalizing relevant truths concerning donor conception. There are loved ones we risk offending, family well-being we risk upsetting and maybe livelihoods we risk sabotaging if the whole truth were to be told concerning donor conception and parent-child separation. The Anonymous Us Project wishes for all parties the opportunity to tell their stories without fear.<br /><br />In the upcoming weeks we need to collect stories and build content in preparation for press outreach and the launch of AnonymousUs.org. Our website is still being built, but the submit form is ready to go.<br /><br />You do not have to – and in fact you cannot – provide your name when you submit your story.<br /><br />When you're done writing and have successfully submitted your story, you will receive a confirmation number you may use to contact us about your story and remove the story should you wish to. We are looking for submissions of 750 words or less. Please feel free to write anything you'd like relating to donor conception, surrogacy and adoption. Feel free to make multiple submissions on relevant, but different ideas. Stories will be selected to be read aloud on the Anonymous Us podcast, which anyone will be able to subscribe to for free through iTunes or an RSS feed.<br /><br />Send us your essays and thoughts:<br />http://anonymousus.org/index.php<br /><br />Help us grow this project.<br />We can't judge the health of these practices without understanding the journey of the affected.<br /><br />I hope this project will fill out the conversation on reproductive technologies.<br />I hope it will inspire more truth and transparency.<br />I hope it will help shape healthier families and happier people.<br /><br />Thank you everyone for your involvement and contributions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-65123915591602451162010-05-31T20:07:00.002-04:002010-05-31T20:10:18.080-04:00Two new studiesTwo new studies have just been released.<br />Unlike a lot of scientific literature that cannot be accessed without paying a fee, these are open access.<br />One is the largest study of it kind conducted on the experiences and outcomes to offspring of donor conception:<br /><a href="http://familyscholars.org/" target="_blank">http://familyscholars.org/</a><br />The other is a study into the experiences of offpsring who are searching for information about their donor parent.<br /><a href="http://informationr.net/ir/15-2/paper428.html">http://informationr.net/ir/15-2/paper428.html</a>damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-10500041689312155112010-04-25T16:32:00.006-04:002010-04-27T08:32:56.942-04:00The 'donor/traditional surrogate conceived' HAVE been relinquished by a birth parentI wanted to bring attention to a HIGHLY debatable comment made in the study ("Experiences of offspring searching for and contacting their donor siblings and donor" RBM Online, 18 April 2010 http://www.ivf.net/ivf/experiences_of_offspring_searching_for_and_contacting_their_donor_siblings_and_donor-o4978.html) regarding the dissimilarities between adoption and 'donor conception'.<br /><br />Quote of reference:<br /><br />"Whilst some have argued that the adoption experience may shed light on donor-conceived individuals' experiences of searching, it is important to bear in mind that there are notable differences between the two groups.<br /><br />Donor-conceived individuals are usually genetically related to one of their parents and <span style="font-weight:bold;">have not been relinquished by a birth parent<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>. Also, with adoption, parents are expected and encouraged to be honest and open with their child about his/her origins. This is not the case with donor conception. Whilst there is now greater openness within donor-conceived families, many parents, particularly those from families headed by heterosexual couples, still choose to keep this information secret from the child. Donor-conceived individuals are thus more likely to learn of their origins at a later age than adopted individuals, which could have important implications for their experiences of searching for their genetic relations."<br /><br />Specific quote of contention: "<span style="font-weight:bold;">...have not been relinquished by a birth parent<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>."<br /><br />This is just not true. <br /><br />'Donors/gamete sellers/traditional surrogates' ARE genetic fathers/mothers who have INTENTIONALLY given away/sold their gametes to INTENTIONALLY create a child (children) that in most cases they:<br /><br />A) INTENTIONALLY do not want to parent<br />B) INTENTIONALLY do not want to take responsibility for<br />C) INTENTIONALLY do not want to acknowledge as their offspring (their genetic children) <br /><br />This IS INTENTIONAL (pre-conception) relinquishment by a birth parent. Which, personally, I think is MUCH more unethical than the non-intentional creation of a child that is relinquished for the child's best interests through adoption.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-48242068616008304682010-04-16T20:39:00.000-04:002010-04-16T20:40:43.127-04:00"Our Random Universe" by Lauren Burns - 'donor' conceived adultShared with Lauren Burns permission:<br /><br />"Just wanted to report something very random that happened to me last month. I was out with my mum seeing at movie at a place called Cinema Nova in Carlton. The movie we wanted to see happened to be sold out, so we picked an alternative and sat down in the cafe near the box office to have a coffee.<br /><br />While we waited, Ben (my biological father) came and sat down two tables away from us! It was all the more random because Ben doesn't even live in my home city of Melbourne, he just happened to be down there for an Obstetrics conference. My mum didn't believe me, but I went and said hello to him and mum came and sat down with us too. So I introduced them. Although I didn't say it out loud I was thinking, 'mother, meet father.' It was the first time my parents have ever met!!! Such a mind bending thought.<br /><br />To be honest, although I hid my emotions behind light-hearted banter, my overwhelming feeling was awkwardness. On so many levels & for so many reasons, this scenario must have seemed surreal for everyone involved. It makes me realize just how bizarre & artificial donor conception truly is. Here I was, the child created by these two people that I had only moments earlier introduced. Had my mother and Ben divorced many years ago it might have been awkward and tense for all concerned. But, given the DC factor.... this was bizarre beyond the grasp of most mortals.<br /><br />It also made me feel sad to witness the profound disconnection between my biological parents. If I was conceived from a brief relationship at least they might have danced together. I know some people will tell me that it is ridiculous to feel this way, and it shouldn't matter, but it does matter to me. Being conceived from two strangers feels like it erodes my sense of humanity.<br /><br />I was glad that it was only 10 minutes before Ben's movie started. Poor mum, I think she was a bit spun out, but in retrospect it was probably a good introduction because A) she didn't have time to be nervous and B) it was a short meeting, so it didn't get too awkward.<br /><br />Alternatively, if I hadn't already got in touch with and met Ben, there I would have been sitting, two tables away from my biological father, and not even known it. Just goes to prove that something wacky like this can happen. To all the other DC people on this forum, it shows that at some point in your life you could have been in the same room with your donor parent or close relatives.<br /><br />I can't quite explain it, but I feel like this story illustrates some disturbing aspects of being donor conceived. There is a fundamental indignity of being in the same room as close biological relatives and not even knowing it. It is like being the main character from the movie The Truman Show and belonging to a world where truth has been disconnected from reality. Like Truman, our sense of reality is open to being manipulated by `higher powers' (e.g. parents, the fertility industry)."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-74238993523837856232010-04-16T20:32:00.001-04:002010-04-25T12:47:10.422-04:00'Donating' sperm (or egg) is NOT similar to being a blood or organ donorA response by a 'donor' conceived woman to (http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/call-for-more-sperm-donations-20100411-s0tq.html)<br /><br />"Sperm donating is also for life<br /><br />JOHN McBain is misleading men when he says donating sperm is similar to being a blood or organ donor ( The Age, 12/4). He has (or should have) heard from enough adult donor offspring to know that this is not how many of us view the men who played such a significant role in our creation. Sperm donors are fathers too. Simply because they may play no part in the upbringing of their biological children does not mean that they will be any less important to them.<br /><br />TV shows such as Find My Family clearly illustrate the deep human need to seek out family members to feel whole and connected to kin. Children created via sperm donation share this need. John McBain and any man considering donating his sperm must remember that children with no voice grow up to be adults, who may not share the view that donating sperm is simply an altruistic gift.<br /><br />Myfanwy Walker, Upwey"<br /><br />This letter was published in The Age here:<br />http://www.theage. com.au/national/ letters/trust- us-says-the- government- but-it-has- gone-too- far-20100412- s403.html<br /><br />------------------<br /><br /><br /><br />Another letter written by a 'donor' conceived adult, Kim, (shared with her permission) in response to (http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/call-for-more-sperm-donations-20100411-s0tq.html)<br /><br />"John McBain is not the expert in donor IVF, the donor offspring are the real experts.<br /><br />Ask a donor conceived adult if they would have made the choice to be removed from their genetic Kin...I think not.<br /><br />There is a great loss suffered when one is removed from their biological family. So in referring to sperm donation as giving a "gift" this relates to the needs of the prospective parents.<br /><br />How is it just that the child's needs come last? The convention on the rights of the child clearly states a child's right to nationality and family ties. It also states that children should not be separated from their parents unless is is for THEIR own good.<br /><br />Donor conception has and always will serve the rights of the parents, while the child remains voiceless."<br /><br />Note: This letter was not published (that I am aware of)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-75258867434835395692010-02-04T19:12:00.002-05:002010-02-04T19:17:49.207-05:00Lauren Burns 'donor' conceived perspectivePosted with Lauren's permission<br /><br /><br />By Lauren Burns<br /><br />My name is Lauren and I am 26 years old. As a ‘grown up’ donor conceived person I feel it is my responsibility to give some perspective about the long term effects of donor conception. We, the children created from assisted reproductive treatment, are the real experts, but we are not often given a forum to express our views. I hope I will give would-be parents and potential donors some important information that they will take time to think over, and my story will be of interest to other donor conceived people, who may want to meet or network with people from a similar background.<br /><br />The concept of egg and sperm donation, donors procreating with the intention of not assuming any responsibility or feelings towards the person they have helped create, is a curiously artificial construct conjured by the infertility treatment industry. It is the complete opposite of how parents normally feel towards their biological children. In the early days it was useful in helping clinics recruit donors, and for parents who wished to believe donor conception was truly a ‘cure’ to their own infertility, but what happens when the child refuses to accept that their biological parent is not merely a ‘nice man/woman’ who is inconsequential to their lives? <br /><br />It is crucial to realise that the decision to use a donor to create a family results in life-long consequences for the child who is subsequently born. Every person I know who is donor conceived (about 15) has been affected by it. It is untrue to claim there are no real issues with donor conception, that as long as you tell the child the truth, and tell early, everything will be fine. <br /><br />The modern advice is telling children early is the best option, and I agree, however it is important to note that children will not have a static response to being donor conceived, it will change throughout their lives. Young children tend to be very accepting of what their parents tell them, and hence often appear unperturbed by their story. It is not until these children gain the power of critical analysis, perhaps in early adulthood, that they may start question what occurred. <br /><br />I personally know a 30-year-old donor conceived man who has known his status since early childhood. Initially he accepted it, until the birth of his own child when suddenly, as a father, he realised the importance of the biological link, and what the loss of his paternal kin had meant for him (and his daughter). He does not condemn his parents for their decision, but is now completely opposed to the practise of donor conception, and feels it has negatively affected his life.<br /><br />The psychology of donor conception is complex because it asks the child to differentiate between the ‘social’ and the ‘biological’ aspects of parenthood. Historically there was never this schism, leaving our language unprepared for it. Thus, even the word ‘parent’ is loaded and ambiguous, so we are left with clunky terms such as ‘biological parent’ and ‘social parent.’ <br /><br />It is vital to think about the importance of the genetic link. Is it relevant or is it completely disposable? How important is it in informing our sense of self (looks, personality, interests) and sense of identity (feeling of belonging, similarities reflected in relatives, being part of a chain)? Parents should not think that if their child expresses longing for knowledge of a biological parent it reflects badly on their parental skills. In my experience my desire to know my genetic identity was actually independent of my relationship with my social parents, because no matter how good a parent they were, it was beyond their control to give me this knowledge. <br /><br />Donor conceived children are generally smart and sensitive. They want to protect their parents. This often complicates the way they allow themselves to express their feelings about being donor conceived. They are generally especially sensitive about not upsetting the non-biological parent.<br /><br />There is a lot of literature concerning the feelings of loss and grief felt by adoptees, associated with the denial of a close relationship with their biological parents. This is relevant, because from the perspective of the child, being donor conceived is like being ‘half-adopted.’ <br /><br />Infertility can mean mourning the loss of somebody who has never existed. However, choosing donor conception to overcome infertility can mean transferring the loss so that it is now the child who grieves, in this case for someone they have also never met, the missing biological parent.<br /><br />When seeking information and/or counselling about becoming a donor or using assisted reproductive treatment, it is important to consider any biases of the source of information. Infertility treatment is an industry and private clinics are ultimately businesses. Although it is in their interest to adhere to medical guidelines, they also have a financial incentive to minimise or even trivialise adverse effects, in order to recruit egg and sperm donors, as well as attract consumers. As far as I am aware, in Victoria, no infertility treatment clinic has shown interest in tracking the long term welfare of the children created from their services, or (with the exception of the Royal Women’s) provided pastoral services to assist offspring dealing with the effects of being donor conceived.<br /><br />In Victoria anonymous donation is now recognised as harmful to children and has been banned since 1998. However, donor conceived children will still grow up not knowing the identity of their donor during their formative years, and any relationship they pursue after the age of 18 will be retarded by this missing time. <br /><br />Parents should question how they feel about making the decision, on behalf of their child, that they will be denied a close familiar relationship with one or both biological parents. Adoption was normally deemed the best solution to some crisis that meant the biological parents were unable to care for their child. I feel in this case the deliberateness of the decision to separate kin is significant.<br /><br />I found out my biological father was a vial of frozen sperm labelled ‘C11’ when I was 21. It came as a complete shock. For me, the overwhelming impression of being donor conceived was powerlessness and lack of choice. I thought it was very unfair that the medical establishment had concocted the concept of ‘anonymous donor’ and this deal had been stitched up without my consent. I felt like the system had exploited my vulnerability by assigning my rights the lowest priority. Whenever I expressed the need that was driving me to search for my donor, I was reminded that I must abide by these decisions, made long ago, that I was never involved in.<br /><br />I brooded over the news for about three years, not talking much, but thinking about it a lot. I found out that in Victoria, people born after 1988 have the right to apply for information about their donor, but because I was born in 1983 I do not qualify. I thought this terribly unfair because my need to know my genetic identity was just as real as somebody born after this arbitrary date. Despite this, I did find my donor, but I had to move heaven and earth to do it.<br /><br />I reached a turning point when I met Narelle (a donor conceived woman) and eventually met up with members of an organisation called TangledWebs (www.tangledwebs.org.au). (The name comes from a poem by Sir Walter Scott, “O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.”) It was a huge relief to talk to people with a similar background to myself, who shared my view that donor conceived people have a basic right to information about their genetic identity.<br /><br />I went public and had two newspaper articles published in The Age. It was stressful to ‘blow my cover’ and tell my story where I knew it would be read by an unknown number of friends, relatives and acquaintances. However the long-term effects have been very positive because I have freed myself from secrecy and received a lot of encouragement. The experience also taught me the power of personal stories in helping shape public opinion.<br /><br />I met with key politicians regarding the Assisted Reproductive Treatment (2008) Bill. Sue Pennicuik (Greens) tabled an amendment to allow all donor conceived people to apply for information about their genetic identity, regardless of when they were born. This amendment was only defeated by five votes. (Hansard Legislative Council 4 Dec 2008 pg 50). Unfortunately, at the time we only knew a few donor conceived people who were willing to meet with politicians. Most politicians who voted on this amendment had never actually met and listened to the personal story of somebody who is affected by it.<br /><br />I changed strategy. My mother remembered the name of her former treating doctor so I sent him a letter outlining my story. To my delight I wasn’t ignored. He suggested we meet, and gave me a background of his work in male infertility and donor conception programs spanning 25 years. I was flabbergasted to discover I was the first donor conceived person he had ever met! This highlights the huge disconnection between the medical focus on treating infertility as a ‘disease’ that can be ‘cured’ by prescribing donated eggs/sperm/embryos like medicine, unaware or unconcerned about the lifelong impact this may have on us, the human beings created from these treatments.<br /><br />I asked if he would be willing to write to my donor on my behalf. He said he would have to think about it and consult with a colleague. A few months passed. I was in a tightly wound state. I felt a familiar feeling of powerlessness as the outcome now rested on the personal ethics of one person. One Thursday in early August 2009 I heard back. He had sent the letter. After this, things moved really quickly. The very next week I received a call from Kate from VARTA with big news. Firstly, I didn’t need to ever refer to my biological father as my donor. His name is Ben.<br /><br />After exchanging letters and talking on the phone we arranged to meet. The day before, I discovered I would be meeting his children, my half-siblings. I was nervous, especially the night before and day of the meeting. As I approached the gate, Ben’s son called out “Lauren’s here!” in an excited voice and ran to greet me. Immediately I felt more at ease. I said hello to everyone and we sat down to lunch. I had a surreal moment as I looked around and realized I was surrounded by people who looked like me. I realized the clinics were wrong. We are family, at least in some sense of the word.<br /> <br />Finally I understand why people comment that my sister looks Swedish and why I am interested in flying and space. Ben and I share an interest in reading and literature, art, sports, napping, nature and the outdoors. After all my efforts in the media, law, and political lobbying, I was also gratified to discover that my paternal grandfather was a somewhat notorious agitator of the establishment.<br /><br />I still have three missing half siblings, two boys born in Dec ’81 and July ’84 and a girl born in Aug ’81, all to separate families. I joined the pre-1988 voluntary register, but there were no matches. Have their parents even told them they are donor conceived? If they or their parents are reading this article, I want them to know that they can find me in the voluntary register. I am waiting for them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com151tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-78181777375543548312009-12-15T15:14:00.002-05:002009-12-15T15:22:19.196-05:00Does anyone else feel like times a bit of a healer??I've been 18 for 7 months now and since I found out I was so impatient to turn 18 so I could 'legally' start searching for biological relatives and join Donorlink UK. However, since actually turning 18, I've found that I'm no where near as impatient to start looking and although I have filled out the registration forms to join Donorlink I am no longer in such a rush to send them off and take my DNA test.<div><br /></div><div>Does anyone else feel that with time, you stop worrying or thinking about it all as much? I will never give up hope for finding my family and will always and have always wanted to. I don't know if I believe time is a healer or just whether now I know I can legally start looking I'm not in such a hurry... </div>Laura Jaynehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861606252798567112noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-88891610928884771242009-11-28T00:06:00.003-05:002009-11-28T00:44:08.416-05:00Donor Conceived DNA databaseI'm just now getting a chance to post this here.....since I blogged about it on <a href="http://cryokidconfessions.blogspot.com/2009/11/find-half-siblings-through-new-dna.html">Cryokid</a> several weeks ago....but it's just so important that I felt it was necessary to mention it here as well.<div><br /></div><div>Damian Adams (<a href="http://donatedgeneration.blogspot.com">Donated Generation</a>) and I uncovered the mathematical equations required to determine siblingship -- ie how to take raw DNA profiles and compare two individuals (ideally with their mothers as well) to determine the probability of these two individuals being half-siblings.</div><div><br /></div><div>While Damian and I are excited about the nerdy aspects of this (actually cracking the code!!), the importance for every other donor conceived adult is what we plan to make of this discovery in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our goal is to create a web-based database where an offspring can upload their DNA profile (basically your personal results from a paternity and/or siblingship DNA test.....the 15-marker tests) and their results will be scanned against every other person in the database looking for individuals that have a combined siblingship index over 1.0. </div><div><br /></div><div>The number 1.0 is important, as it is the "threshold" between suggesting non-relatedness and suggesting relatedness. Indexes below 1.0 mean the two individuals are likely non-related, with the smaller the number being more likely that they are not related. Indexes above 1.0 mean the two individuals are likely related with the larger the number being more likely that they are related.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are proposing a revolutionary project for offspring. One that will contact two individuals if they score over 1.0 on our combined siblingship index. With numbers very close to 1.0 (typically numbers under 10), it is a very grey area and we cannot conclude one way or another if the two individuals are related or not. It may be that both mothers need to be tested, or possibly a company that performs a test on more markers. However, we WILL contact anyone who receives even an inconclusive yet over 1.0 score, and it will be up to those individuals to decide where to go from there.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are two other projects in the world similar, yet our proposal is seen as a way to fix some of the issues of the other two. </div><div><br /></div><div>UK DonorLink has been in effect for several years now, where UK offspring and donors can submit their DNA to the database and siblings and/or parent-child relations will be notified. However, recently we've learned they are ONLY contacting matches that are over 99% probability. That means two offspring that receive a very high (and actually conclusive based on legal precedence which states 90% is considered legally acceptable) but not high enough to be 99% probability, are never contacted that such a possibility even exists! We know that siblings have been found with significantly lower probabilities and that denying offspring to knowledge of a possible sibling is continuing the injustice we already suffer from in the first place.</div><div><br /></div><div>CaBRI is an American non-profit company founded by former donor Kirk Maxey. He has created two projects, Donor Y and Donor X, where offspring and donors can submit their DNA and it will scan their databases for matches. However, the caveat is that because these tests only look at the X and the Y chromosome, siblings can only be found of the same sex. Males inherited their Y chromosome from their biological father. Any male half-sibling would share the exact same Y chromosome, so male-to-male sibling matches can be made. Females inherit one X chromosome from mom and one from the biological father. Thus a female offspring and her mother must be tested and the X chromosome that came from the father would have a sibling match if another female offspring's X chromosome that came from her biological father was the same. However, CaBRI does not have database capabilities to determine siblingship in opposite sex cases, unless the donor has his DNA on record as well. They can do private autosomal DNA tests however those results are not in the database. We want a database that ALL offspring can find ANY sibling possible, regardless of sex.</div><div><br /></div><div>So that about sums it up. Damian and I are very excited at these prospects and are working diligently to create some sort of automatic database. For the time being however, we would be happy to take any DNA profiles (we strongly suggest also providing mom's DNA as well) and we will manually scan them through our currently very small database. The more offspring to submit their DNA, the more likely we will be finding matches!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Currently I have been working on a personal project with offspring and donors from Xytex, so please <a href="mailto:lindsaymarie85@gmail.com">email me</a> if you would like to be included in this as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our methods DO WORK. I found a half-sister through Damian and I's hard work, and I hope to connect many more siblings in the future!!</div>Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00120794007899168522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-65756285644459513392009-10-08T14:00:00.000-04:002009-10-08T14:01:09.994-04:00This really cuts to the heart of the problem with the disconnects that even 'open donors' create.I wanted to address/respond to this quote by Laura Witjens (An 'egg donor' and Chair of the National Donation Gamete Trust in the UK)in this article:<br /><br />"Finding Your Biological Family" http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/sep/26/finding-biological-family-donor-register<br /><br />Laura Witjens: "I would try to help them find any missing links, but I would resist letting them call me mother because I am not. I am absolutely clear to my own children that I have only one daughter and one son, and that although there may be people out there who have a bit of mummy in them genetically, they are not my children."<br /><br />Although I'm very grateful, on one hand, that Laura Witjens (An 'egg donor' and Chair of the National Donation Gamete Trust in the UK) promotes 'open donors', I think this really demeans the importance and responsibility of biological/genetic parents NO MATTER HOW A CHILD IS CONCEIVED. The intentionality of 'they are not my children' is not respectful or deserving of respect.<br /><br />This really sums up why I am very much against the practice of 'donor' conception as a whole. She IS their mother. Her 'non-choice' children are just as much her children as her 'choice' children. Yes, her 'non-choice' children have other loved ones but that does not absolve her from responsibility – ESPECIALLY emotional responsibility. This really cuts to the heart of the problem with the disconnects that even 'open donors' create.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-37881372372212358042009-08-28T16:19:00.003-04:002009-08-31T10:18:33.952-04:00"Journey into the bubble" - New blog by a donor conceived womanVery interesting/worthwhile read:<br /><br />"Journey into the bubble"<br />http://journeyintothebubble.blogspot.com/<br /><br />____________________________<br /><br />"Open Letter to Alison"<br />I have been reading Alison's blog (http://journeyintothebubble.blogspot.com/) and I am both heart sick and awed by what she has shared. Alison if you are reading this, I hope you consider sharing your story with the media or in a way that draws attention to your/our plight.<br /><br />We live in a world of competing sorrows but rarely is the plight of the 'child' (who are children for a VERY short time) to know/be known/loved/supported by ALL the people they come from and belong to, reported on in a balanced manner as the plight of the reproductive (and personal relationship) angst of 'adults'.<br /><br />Alison, thank you so much for sharing your deeply personal story and thoughts. I hope by doing this you will find a donor to heal you and the 'donor' (your biological father/half siblings/extended family/ancestry etc.) to complete you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-50825546597932722932009-08-13T19:45:00.001-04:002009-08-13T19:45:41.100-04:00Birth CertificatesThere is a lot of debate in fertility “circles” about birth certificates and many court cases whereby one or both of commissioning parents seek to have their names put on a birth certificate where otherwise it would have another persons name on it under law.<br />Rather than address the legal status of each person in relation to the child and their place or lack thereof on a birth certificate I wish to analyse what a birth certificate actually is and what should occur as a result.<br />A birth certificate is supposed to be a truthful and legal document which describes the progenitors of a child. It is a pedigree that traces our genealogy. It is our heritage. Historically the progenitors of a child were always the raising parents which were traditionally married or in a de-facto relationship. So the people that raised you were also your biological father/mother and appeared on your birth certificate as such. The problem now is that because your biological parents may not be the ones that raise you due to some fertility treatment procedure, the birth certificates can become a fraudulent document when a non-progenitor is placed on it instead.<br />Just as we use pedigree papers to trace the biological lineage of animals such as dogs, cats, horses etc, we can and do use birth certificates for the same purpose in humans. Historians and genealogists use them to trace a person’s heritage and history. If we replace a progenitor on a birth certificate with a social parent then we create false history and the truth becomes clouded by lies. We are rewriting history with erroneous claims.<br />It would appear as though the non-biological parent who seeks inclusion on the birth certificate or replacement of the biological parent does so out of fear that the child will then not recognise them as their dad/mum. There is no evidence to suggest that this is the case. There is too much emotion placed on a birth certificate when none should be placed on it at all. It is purely a document describing the genetic history of each person, it has absolutely nothing to do with who raises or loves you. They can be two entirely separate things and should be kept separate when it comes to creating a birth certificate.<br />Those who are a party to a fertility treatment and subsequent rearing of child but are not the progenitors can still be recognised as the legal parent of the child without having to be on the birth certificate. It is time we recognised the truth and recorded the facts on birth certificates rather than play deceitful games with fraudulent documents. It is up to each country/state to decide if they also wish to include the social/non-biological parent AS WELL on the birth certificate, or to create additional documentation detailing the legal parenthood of each child. What they should not be doing is usurping the truth.<br />My birth certificate is a lie and not worth the piece of paper it is written on, is yours?damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-89280651785457828962009-06-27T16:07:00.001-04:002009-06-27T16:10:38.003-04:00End of Anonymity: Is just knowing a name enough? (Re: Michael Jackson's children)http://www.proudparenting.com/node/3250<br /><br />End of Anonymity: Is just knowing a name enough? (Re: Michael Jackson's children)<br /><br />I cannot believe that Michael Jackson is dead. I'm still in shock. While he was alive there has been little media coverage on his children. They were always covered by either masks or veils and the public was left to wonder, do they look like their father? Who is their mother?<br /><br />My parents used an anonymous 'sperm donor' to conceive me back in the mid 1960's and I've been involved in advocating for the identity rights of those conceived from the same method of conception as myself for the past 5-6 years. I and others, want to see an end to anonymous 'sperm/egg donations/vending' and 'traditional surrogacy'.<br /><br />Since Michael Jackson's passing, if you Google search "sperm donor" you will find numerous articles on the nature of his children's conception. Did Michael Jackson use a 'sperm donor' and/or 'egg donor' and/or 'surrogate' to bring his children into the world?<br /><br />I haven't seen pictures of his children until just recently and I have to say, they don't look much like their dad. Regardless, Michael Jackson was their dad. No one is perfect and I haven't ever spoken with his children but I'd bet that they adored him regardless of their biological/non- biological relationship with him. No doubt, they are in profound mourning and will require years to come to full (if ever) acceptance of their loss.<br /><br />I do wonder though if they feel as confused over their 'donor/surrogate' conception as I and many other 'donor' conceived feel? Do they wonder who their genetic father/ mother/ grandparents/ siblings/ cousins/ ancestry/ heritage are? Do they feel a loss?<br /><br />Now that their dad is gone, will they feel more open to explore what their 'donor' conception/surrogac y means to them? Will it take having children of their own to fully explore their feelings and how it relates to their own children to search for more information?<br /><br />I advocate for the end of anonymity in relation to 'sperm/egg' donation/vending and surrogacy, but I also do not think that just knowing a name is enough. I believe everyone does have a responsibility for their own sperm/egg when combined to create a new (out of the womb) life (including 'sperm/egg donors' and 'surrogates' ) that includes more than just identity disclosure â€" and nothing less than open doors and open hearts.<br /><br />Michael Jackson's children are not abandoned by any means but are they genetic orphans? I hope not. No doubt, there are many people willing to be involved and supportive in their lives but is that enough? I hope and pray that their genetic father/mother/ grandparents and extended family have also kept their doors wide open to these children. Love might make a family but we can't just write off genetics and the importance of genetic/biological family. They all matter.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-37183195913635691282009-06-17T15:30:00.003-04:002009-06-17T15:38:33.818-04:00New blog by a former donor!Check out Michael Galinsky's brand new blog at <a href="http://donor67.blogspot.com">Donor 67</a>. Michael is one of a growing number of former sperm donors who are joining the Donor Sibling Registry and trying to make contact with their biological children.<div><br /></div><div>In the mid 1980s there was no choice for most donors. You were anonymous, or didn't donate. Today some of these donors are attempting to change that status. Many sperm banks are refusing - some are even refusing to provide the donors with their donor numbers so they cannot register on places like the DSR. </div><div><br /></div><div>These donors are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years, and it will be their voices, alongside those of us donor conceived adults, who will ultimately make reform.</div>Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00120794007899168522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-6231334745720844642009-06-08T07:33:00.002-04:002009-06-08T07:38:02.605-04:00Genetic Genealogy ResultsI have simulatneously put this post on my own blog for the simple reason that I think that genetic genealogy testing has the "potential" to provide some answers for those of us that do not have any and have no means of being able to make a search of any sort. Thereby giving some of us an avenue of moving forward, maybe not all the way to our goal but perhaps at least part of the way. After all it has been a successful avenue for at least one DC person.<br /><br />In an effort to compensate for the lack of heritage and knowledge of my genetic father that was forcibly imposed on myself by being donor conceived I undertook a genetic genealogy test from Family Tree DNA. While there are numerous companies offering such services, FTDNA was settled on due to having the largest database, a factor of great importance when trying to create a match with a potential distant relative. Once the testing kit arrived in the letter box it was a simple matter of collecting some buccal cells (cheek cells from the inside of you mouth) via a scraping, then sending it back to the testing company and waiting for the results.<br />The genetic genealogy test in regards to paternity works by following the Y-chromosome through the generations, as such, finding more information on your genetic donor father and your heritage through that part of your family tree is only possible for male offspring. Unfortunately female offspring are unable to do this. However, if they are a product of donated eggs they (as well as male offspring) could potentially follow the maternal side of their family tree through mitochondrial DNA testing which follows the maternal line. Both tests implement the premise that both the Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA are highly conserved and do not change when passed onto the next generation. Small changes do occur occasionally due to mutations and is the reason why we can then see who is closely related to each other through their DNA and why most people are related to each other if we go back far enough in history. <br />I purchased the Y-DNA 37 markers test from the option of 12, 37 and 67 markers on the recommendation of FTDNA with the theory being that 12 markers are not specific enough to verify a relation whereas 67 were supposedly too specific and that a certain degree of ambiguity is desirable when a person has no knowledge of their heritage or a genetically inherited family name (eg. adoptees and donor conceived).<br />These markers are assigned DYS (DNA Y-chromosome segment) numbers and a numerical value is returned based on which mutation has been detected in the test by looking for Y-STRs (short tandem repeats). It is these numbers which are used to match yourself with others that are related. From my results, FTDNA matched me perfectly to 4 other individuals at the 12 marker level, and to 2 others at a genetic distance of 2 at the 25 marker level. The genetic distance is a measure of how many markers are different and by what degree they are different. This was within the FTDNA database, however, it is possible to put you values into a wider database such as Y-SEARCH which allows people who have been tested by other companies to put their values online and to search for matches. The advantage of a database such as this is that it can be considerably larger and it allows you to conduct more thorough searches by changing the parameters to which matches are made which is not possible on the FTDNA site and subsequently, people that can be related could be excluded from being shown to you through the FTDNA results. Putting my marker values in Y-SEARCH allowed me to match to several individuals at more than 30 markers with a relatively small genetic distance. While it may at one level be beneficial to keep some level of ambiguity in your testing for those of unknown paternity. It can also create other problems in that by not being specific enough to confirm a close relation. From 37 marker results it is possible that someone that may appear close is actually quite distant at the 67 marker level, and conversely someone who may not initially appear as the main person of interest at 37 markers may be considerably close at the 67 marker level.<br />In addition to the marker values and possible matches that are obtained through such testing, a haplogroup can be assigned to your results. This haplogroup basically describes a part of the population that originates from a common ancestor through the use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). As such depending on what haplogroup may be assigned to you, the region from which your paternal line comes from can be pinpointed or narrowed down. For example my haplogroup is most closely associated with the British Isles and Western Europe. This haplogroup can be defined to a greater level through Deep Clade testing which then has the possibility of further refining your ancestral origins to a region within these areas. My haplogroup assignment is also supported by the greatest number of matches I had of certain markers which define recent common ancestor origins to the areas of England, Scotland, Ireland and Germany.<br />So how do these results affect my knowledge of my heritage and my quest to find my genetic father?<br />In several ways;<br />First the matches that I have been able to make provide a basis to conduct further research. For those in the databases that have selected to allow their contact details to be accessible, they can be contacted and research can be conducted on their family history to see if there is a possibility of a closer link.<br />Secondly, the surnames (and their derivatives) that can come back as matches can be used by donor offspring to cross-reference with in my case names of medical and science graduates which comprised the donor pool at that time as possible avenues of enquiry.<br />Thirdly, any haplogroup assignment could also help narrow down the name pool of potential donors from the aforementioned donor pool based on certain family names originating from certain areas of the world.<br />The use of such testing has been used successfully previously with one donor offspring in the USA finding their genetic father by matching up with a close relative. There are also other companies which conduct health analysis of DNA. These tests analyse a person’s potential susceptibility to certain illnesses based on genetic links with these diseases.<br />The thing that must be noted is that any genetic genealogy result obtained is dependent on a close or distant relation also having undergone testing. While currently the greatest population of people undergoing such testing live in the USA, the British Isles and Western Europe, with more and more people being tested everyday, for those that may not get closer to discovering their heritage or even their paternity initially, eventually they may get there given time.<br />While I cannot show here the results of any matches as enquiries are ongoing, they have not excluded any of the information and lines of enquiry that I had obtained through other means before undergoing genetic testing. In regard to further genetic testing I may in the near future increase the number of markers to narrow down some of the potential matches if the line of enquiry deems that it would be of benefit. A further refinement of the haplogroup assignment by Deep Clade testing may also assist in this and will be assessed on its necessity as required. A full DNA “health” analysis is something that I will undertake to fill in the gaps of a family health history that I am missing. While genetic genealogy testing and DNA health analysis may not give to me the genetic father that has been missing in my life, it has the potential to provide for not just myself but also to my children a picture of our heritage (the origin of my paternity by region) but also a family health history which will be just as important to them as me.damianhadamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10765078467506261737noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-60801932789441757372009-03-22T23:36:00.005-04:002009-03-22T23:56:53.029-04:00Media seeking DONOR OFFSPRING for new documentary<div>[Note from Lindsay: This is open media call to ANY donor conceived adult, regardless of where you live]</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">WHO AM I?</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;font-size:24px;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw92SrBzxPQURfTOOItZCejw1qnwh-lhYT3d0pLjyzfJo1bvNtS82rUsjOpJxU0EoiRg95ivyMCTK3nqoVdNzef_3NLYjIrZVBELU10_uTJRVKIZfNXDNRWToWoVajiPDIecUNkDYtJn4/s1600-h/whoami+pic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw92SrBzxPQURfTOOItZCejw1qnwh-lhYT3d0pLjyzfJo1bvNtS82rUsjOpJxU0EoiRg95ivyMCTK3nqoVdNzef_3NLYjIrZVBELU10_uTJRVKIZfNXDNRWToWoVajiPDIecUNkDYtJn4/s320/whoami+pic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316225407404786290" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:#3366FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">WHO AM I? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="Century Gothic"font-family:";"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">How do you define identity? What role, if any, has genetics played in shaping the person you are today?</span></span></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-AU" style="Century Gothic"font-family:";"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-AU" style="Century Gothic"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">We’re SEEKING DONOR OFFSPRING to participate in an international high end documentary series on Assisted Reproductive Technology and the link between biological and genetic history and identity. What makes this documentary series unique is that it is told through the eyes of the offspring conceived through ART; </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">your </span></i></b></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="Century Gothic"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">EYES.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-AU" style="Century Gothic"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">We want to hear your stories; your perspectives; your insights into the impact of the technology that helped bring you into this world and your vision for the future.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:#3366FF;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">WHO ARE WE?</span></b></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Please allow us to introduce ourselves:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="Century Gothic"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Tammi Michelle Faraday</span></b></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> is a Television, Feature Film & Documentary Producer, Investigative journalist, Human Rights Lobbyist, Television Presenter, Broadcaster, and one time Senior Associate of an international law firm. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Tammi recently returned to Australia after being based in London for two years working as a producer on critically acclaimed and award winning feature films and feature length documentaries for the BBC (UK), WGBH (United States), SBS (Australia) and Channel 2 (Israel). These include: </span><i><span style="mso-field-code:"HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/www\.juggernautmedia\.com\.au\/insurgency\.html\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022""><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">"The Insurgency”</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(a BBC/WGBH feature length documentary about the Iraqi insurgency)</span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">; </span></em><i><span style="mso-field-code:"HYPERLINK \0022http\:\/\/www\.juggernautmedia\.com\.au\/nuclear\.html\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022""><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">“The Nuclear Wal-Mart"</span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> (a BBC Panorama investigation about the private international nuclear network)</span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">; “Yitzchak Rabin - Case Unclosed" (a </span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">groundbreaking documentary on the late Prime Minister of Israel);</span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> “Rape on Trial" </span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(a BBC Panorama investigation about rape and the criminal justice system in the UK) and the multi award winning feature film in Australia, </span><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">“Wil"</span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></p><p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">In 2008 Tammi launched her international film production, media and communications company - </span></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:#E46C77;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Juggernaut Media Management</span></b></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span style="Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-USfont-family:";"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ros Tatarka </span></b></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">is an established producer with an extensive track record primarily in television production.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">In her early career Ros worked on some of Australia’s most iconic television dramas including </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Prisoner, Neighb</span></i></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">ours and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">A Country Practice</span></i></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">She later went on to Associate Produce the mini-series </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Snowy </span></i></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">and the first nine telemovies of the successful </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Halifaxfp</span></i></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> franchise.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">As Producer her credits include the first series of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Something In the Air</span></i></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, and the telemovie and first series of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Good Guys Bad Guys</span></i></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, for which she won an AFI Award. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ros was most recently engaged as the General Manager, Industry Development and Investment at the State Government Agency, Film Victoria.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">In this role, Ros headed up the business unit responsible for stimulating and supporting growth and excellence in the Victorian screen industry.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">In 2008 Ros returned to the independent sector and through her production company, Creat</span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">E</span></i></b></span><span style="Century Gothic";font-family:";color:windowtext;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">ve Pty Ltd, is developing a slate of projects including feature film, television drama, documentary and new media.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="style122" style="margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-AU" style="Century Gothic"font-family:";"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">For further information please contact Tammi Faraday on + 61 (0)401 952 962 or </span><a href="mailto:boss@juggernautmedia.com.au"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">boss@juggernautmedia.com.au</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <span lang="EN-AU" style="Century Gothic";mso-ansi-language:EN-AU;mso-fareast-language:EN-AUfont-family:";"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">or Ros Tatarka on either +61 (0)411 567 556 or </span><a href="mailto:rtatarka@optusnet.com.au"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">rtatarka@optusnet.com.au</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></b></span><!--EndFragment-->Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00120794007899168522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-15051423826118137722009-02-12T11:47:00.007-05:002009-02-12T11:57:28.575-05:00Missouri's where it's at!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">From Kathleen LaBounty:</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(28, 22, 194); font-family:Verdana;font-size:13px;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cynthia Davis, of the Missouri State Legislature is looking to ban anonymous donations in the state of Missouri and give all donor-conceived offspring the right to access the donor's identity at age 21. She is hoping to have a hearing about her bill (HB355) within the next three months. She is looking for donor-conceived adults and families from Missour</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">i to speak there.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">If you are interested please contact Cynthia Davis at </span></span><a href="mailto:Cynthia.Davis@house.mo.gov"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cynthia.Davis@house.mo.gov</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">****************************</span></span></span></p><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 13px/normal Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Summary of the Introduced Bill<br />HB 355 -- Sperm and Egg Donations<br /><br />Sponsor: Davis<br /><br />This bill allows an adult child born as a result of a sperm or egg donation to obtain identifying information regarding the donor by requiring the name of the biological parent and the donor parent to be shown on the child's birth certificate. The State Registrar will file the original birth certificate in the event the non-donor parent requests a new birth certificate. Unless contracted in writing, no legal relationship will exist between the child born as a result of a sperm or egg donation or the child's parent and the child's donor. In the event of a birth as a result of a sperm or egg donor, any person or entity required to file a birth certificate must send the Department of Health and Senior Services documentation of the birth including the child's name, sex, and date and place of birth; the biological parent's name or other parent's name; and the donor parent's name.<br /><br />An adult child of a sperm or egg donation made prior to January 1, 2010, can make a written request to the circuit court in the county in which he or she resides to secure and disclose identifying information of his or her donor parent. Donor parents can register with the Children's Division within the Department of Social Services if they choose to allow a child to obtain his or her identifying information. Any adult child born as a result of a sperm or egg donation will be subject to the same requirements as an adopted child when seeking identifying or non-identifying information regarding his or her donor parent. Children born as a result of a sperm or egg donation made after January 1, 2010, can receive a copy of his or her original birth certificate indicating his or her donor's identifying and medical history information from the State Registrar and the donation facility.</span></span></span></span></p></div></span></div></div>Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00120794007899168522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224368822588900387.post-73010449346659082692009-02-12T11:45:00.002-05:002009-02-12T11:46:23.364-05:00Comment section fixedI just realized that there was a problem with the comments section, and you couldn't post a comment for some reason. I've fixed the problem, so hopefully anyone can now respond.Lindsayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00120794007899168522noreply@blogger.com0