Two Decades After Legislation on Identifiable Donors in Sweden: Are Recipient Couples Ready to be Open About Using Gamete Donation?

Swedish legislation in 1985 gave all children born from donated gametes the legal right to obtain identifying information about the donor. In the last 25 years, several studies have investigated the attitude of recipients of oocytes or sperm toward disclosure to their offspring about their genetic origin; these data suggest that a significant percentage of gamete recipients are favorable toward disclosure.The aim of this nationwide multicenter study was to investigate the effect of this legislation on current attitudes of heterosexual recipient couples toward disclosure to offspring and others, and toward their perceived need for information and support with respect to parenthood after donation. The study was a part of a large population-based study on gamete donation conducted at all infertility clinics performing gamete donation in Sweden. A questionnaire was completed by individual recipients of oocytes or sperm, assessing their attitudes concerning disclosure, genetic parenthood, and need for additional information with regard to future parenthood. Respondents included 155 of 215 heterosexual couples who were oocyte recipients (72% response) and 127 of 158 heterosexual couples who were sperm recipients (81% response).Almost all participants (90%) who had received anonymous donated gametes supported disclosure and openness to their children about his/her genetic origin. Only 6% had not told others about their donation treatment. Between 26% and 40% of the gamete recipients wanted more information or support concerning future parenthood.These findings indicate that 25 years after Swedish legislation gave children conceived through gamete donation the right to know about their genetic origin, gamete recipients of anonymously donated sperm and oocytes strongly support the right of their children to know.