HFEA calls on gamete donors to update contact details

Thirty donor-conceived people will be able to request identifying information about their donor from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) by the end of 2023.

The first people who were born after a change to the law came into force, which abolished anonymous gamete donation within the UK, can now apply to the HFEA and request their donor's details upon turning 18 later this year. The number of donor-conceived people who are entitled to do this is expected to rise from 30 to 766 by the end of 2024 and 11,427 by 2030. The HFEA is urging anyone who donated sperm, eggs or embryos after 1 April 2005 to ensure they have provided the most up-to-date information to the relevant clinic (if the clinic still exists), as the regulator prepares to support those affected.

'The decision to abolish donor anonymity in 2005 has given donor conceived individuals – providing they have been told they are donor conceived - an opportunity to learn about where they came from, and we know from studies that this has a positive impact on them.... As we approach this landmark moment, we have concerns that not all donor-conceived individuals who apply for this information will be able to reach their donor', said Rachel Cutting, director of information and compliance at the HFEA.

'Not only will this enable the HFEA to notify donors of information requests from offspring, it reduces the risk of information being sent to a historic address'.

Typically, when a donor-conceived child turns 16, they can receive limited information about their donor. This includes a physical description (height, eye and hair colour, weight), year and country of birth, and whether their donor had any children at the time of donation.

Due to the change in donor anonymity law, these individuals will now be able to request additional information about their donor from the HFEA at aged 18. This will include their donor's full name, date of birth and last known address.

Those who donated gametes anonymously before April 2005 can contact the HFEA to re-register, so that they become identifiable. Donors who do not wish to re-register as identifiable are still able to update their non-identifying personal information, such as their goodwill message or pen portrait (donors can leave these for the recipient of their gametes, or for any child conceived from their gametes).

'I am delighted that donor conceived individuals turning 18 will now have the chance to find out who their donor is. Everyone should have the right to know about their genetic history,' said Maria Caulfield, Minister for Women at the UK Government. 'To ensure we don't disappoint those looking for answers, I would urge all those who have donated after 1 April 2005 to consider updating their contact details with the HFEA as soon as possible.'