The HFEA Donor Conceived Registry
Accessing Donor Information:
What is the Registry?
A safe register kept by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority UK. It provides donors, donor conceived children and parents access to specific information in relation to donor conceptions as per the HFEA Act.
What is on the Registry?
Donors can ask about the outcome of their donation, how many live births, years and sex of these births. Donor conceived children can request non identifying information about their donor at the age of 16 and identifying information at 18.
at 16 non identifying information can be obtained about their donor: ie. physical characteristics and access to information on the donor information sheet, aka as a ‘good will message’ from the donor. This is like a pen portrait with some information about the donor such as why they donated. If any of the information risks the identity of the donor it will not be shared.
parents can also request the same information when their child reaches 16.
at 18 donor children can obtain identifying information about their donor, if their donor is identifiable. This includes information such as their name, DOB and last known registered address.
in 2005 the law was passed so that all donors must be identifiable to donor conceived children should they choose to apply for it.
by 2023, the first cohort of donor conceived people will reach 18 and be able to request identifying information about their donors.
What if I was born before this registry came into effect?
People born after 1991 can join the donor conceived siblings registry. They are offered support through a mediator and if information is available, can contact other children born through the same donor. There have been about 20 matches made using this resource. Free counselling is offered from the HFEA with trained counsellors and expertise in terms of unexpected information that may be obtained.
Direct to consumer DNA testing websites: Are they safe?
The use of direct to consumer DNA testing can often unfold some unexpected information. It can be an uncontrolled way for a donor conceived person to find out they are donor conceived as well as for a donor. Using the donor conceived HFEA registry allows for a controlled and well-managed way of finding out information. Direct to consumer DNA testing does not have the same support and protection that it very much needed during this time. There are serious implications for donors and donor conceived people using these direct to consumer tests without the proper support. It is always advised to seek answers using a reputable source such as the HFEA with the necessary supports in place to help make the process as smooth as possible.
For more information - check out the HFEA.