Legal age limits in accessing donor information: experiences of donor-conceived people, parents, sperm donors and counsellors.

RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the lived experiences of donor-conceived people, parents, sperm donors and counsellors related to legal age limits on accessing donor information in the Netherlands? DESIGN: A phenomenological study was carried out that included 20 donor-conceived individuals, 15 parents, 6 sperm donors and 5 counsellors. Data were collected through online qualitative in-depth interviews and focus groups. The data were analysed using Dahlberg's Reflective Lifeworld Approach. RESULTS: The results show how: (i) age limits create challenges related to dependency, autonomy and loyalty to parents; (ii) donor information can be important for identity development, which looks different at different ages; (iii) inaccessible information can lead to unfair loss and may be perceived as negative; (iv) relational stability provides a good foundation for dealing with the (in)accessibility of donor information; (v) procedural barriers and age limits increase the inaccessibility of donor information; and (vi) comprehensive counselling is desired for donor-conceived individuals, parents and donors. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that legal age limits on accessing donor information can lead to several negative consequences. The age limits focus on one individual, which is not appropriate for questions about ancestry that always pertain to a relational network. Counselling should be tailored to the child's needs, and the child's family should be involved. Furthermore, the donor should receive independent counselling.

[Evaluation of the Artificial Insemination Donor Data Act; data registration not yet in order]. / Evaluatie Wet donorgegevens kunstmatige bevruchting.

The Artificial Insemination Donor Data Act was first evaluated in 2012, and a second time in 2018. The aim of the most recent evaluation was to gain insight into the effectiveness and side effects of the law. The researchers did not only conduct a judicial analysis of the legislation and parliamentary history; they also visited fertility clinics, they undertook research at SDKB (Foundation for Artificial Insemination Donor Data), and interviewed stakeholders and key people involved in the process. From this, 17 recommendations were made, addressed to the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, SDKB, fertility clinics and the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate. Some of these recommendations also affect the actions of fertility physicians and gynaecologists working in clinics and hospitals that perform donor treatments.

[Gamete donation: (un)answered social and ethical issues in Portugal]. / Doação de gametas: questões sociais e éticas (não) respondidas em Portugal.

Awareness of the discussion surrounding the social and ethical challenges regarding gamete donation is crucial for good governance of assisted reproduction techniques. In this article, we analyze the topics that guided the debate in the Portuguese ethics organizations, discussing their connections with themes addressed internationally. To that end, in March 2018, we systematically searched the websites of the National Council of Medically Assisted Procreation and of the National Ethics Council for Life Sciences. We carried out a thematic content analysis of 25 documents. Results indicate that the debate was focused on accessibility, anonymity and donors' compensation and, to a lesser extent, on professional responsibilities. We observed heterogeneous positions and tensions between multiple rights and ethical principles associated with recipients, donor-conceived individuals and donors. These invoke three similar arguments: the scarcity of scientific evidence; experiences from other countries; and regulations from in international entities. Literature addressed additional topics, namely: a double track that combines donor anonymity/identification; the implementation of reproduction registries for recipients and donors; limits to the genetic screening of donors; donations by family members/acquaintances; and donors' role in decisions regarding the fate of cryopreserved embryos and in choosing the characteristics of recipients of their gametes. There is room to expand the debate and to promote research on the social and ethical implications of gamete donation, considering the participation of all citizens.

Conhecer a discussão em torno dos desafios sociais e éticos da doação de gametas é fundamental para a boa governança das técnicas de reprodução assistida. Neste artigo, analisam-se os tópicos que orientaram o debate nas organizações de ética portuguesas, discutindo as suas conexões com os temas abordados internacionalmente. Para tal, em março de 2018, pesquisamos sistematicamente os websites do Conselho Nacional de Procriação Medicamente Assistida e do Conselho Nacional de Ética para as Ciências da Vida. Procedemos à análise de conteúdo temática de 25 documentos. Os resultados indicam que o debate se centrou na acessibilidade, no anonimato e na compensação de doadores e, em menor extensão, nas responsabilidades profissionais. Observaram-se posicionamentos heterogêneos e tensões entre múltiplos direitos e princípios éticos associados a receptores, a pessoas nascidas com recurso à doação de gametas e a doadores. Esses têm em comum três alegações: a escassez de evidência científica; as experiências de outros países; e regulamentações oriundas de entidades internacionais. Na literatura abordam-se tópicos adicionais, nomeadamente: uma via dupla que conjugue anonimato/identificação de doadores; implementação de sistemas de registo reprodutivo para receptores e doadores; limites do rastreio genético a doadores; doação por familiares/conhecidos; e o papel dos doadores na decisão quanto ao destino de embriões criopreservados e na escolha das características dos receptores dos seus gametas. Há espaço para expandir o debate e promover a pesquisa em torno das implicações sociais e éticas da doação de gametas, considerando a participação de todos os cidadãos.

Conocer la discusión en torno a los desafíos sociales y éticos de la donación de gametos es fundamental para el buen gobierno de las técnicas de reproducción asistida. En este artículo se analizan los temas que orientaron el debate en las organizaciones de ética portuguesas, discutiendo sus conexiones con los temas abordados internacionalmente. Para este fin, en marzo de 2018, investigamos sistemáticamente las páginas webs del Conselho Nacional de Procriação Medicamente Assistida y del Conselho Nacional de Ética para as Ciências da Vida. Asimismo, procedimos al análisis de contenido temático de 25 documentos. Los resultados indican que el debate se centró en la accesibilidad, anonimato y compensación de donadores y, en menor extensión, en las responsabilidades profesionales. Se observaron posicionamientos heterogéneos y tensiones entre múltiples derechos y principios éticos, asociados a receptores, a personas nacidas gracias a la donación de gametos y a donadores. Estos tienen en común tres alegaciones: la escasez de evidencias científicas; las experiencias de otros países; y las regulaciones procedentes de entidades internacionales. En el literatura se abordan temas adicionales, en particular: una vía doble que conjugue anonimato/identificación de donadores; implementación de sistemas de registro reproductivo para receptores y donadores; límites del rastreo genético a donadores; donación por familiares/conocidos; y el papel de los donadores en la decisión respecto al destino de embriones criopreservados y en la elección de las características de los receptores de sus gametos. Existe espacio para abrir más el debate y promover la investigación en torno de las implicaciones sociales y éticas de la donación de gametos, considerando la participación de todos los ciudadanos.

Doação de gametas: questões sociais e éticas (não) respondidas em Portugal / Gamete donation: (un)answered social and ethical issues in Portugal / Donación de gametos: cuestiones sociales y éticas (no) respondidas en Portugal

Resumo: Conhecer a discussão em torno dos desafios sociais e éticos da doação de gametas é fundamental para a boa governança das técnicas de reprodução assistida. Neste artigo, analisam-se os tópicos que orientaram o debate nas organizações de ética portuguesas, discutindo as suas conexões com os temas abordados internacionalmente. Para tal, em março de 2018, pesquisamos sistematicamente os websites do Conselho Nacional de Procriação Medicamente Assistida e do Conselho Nacional de Ética para as Ciências da Vida. Procedemos à análise de conteúdo temática de 25 documentos. Os resultados indicam que o debate se centrou na acessibilidade, no anonimato e na compensação de doadores e, em menor extensão, nas responsabilidades profissionais. Observaram-se posicionamentos heterogêneos e tensões entre múltiplos direitos e princípios éticos associados a receptores, a pessoas nascidas com recurso à doação de gametas e a doadores. Esses têm em comum três alegações: a escassez de evidência científica; as experiências de outros países; e regulamentações oriundas de entidades internacionais. Na literatura abordam-se tópicos adicionais, nomeadamente: uma via dupla que conjugue anonimato/identificação de doadores; implementação de sistemas de registo reprodutivo para receptores e doadores; limites do rastreio genético a doadores; doação por familiares/conhecidos; e o papel dos doadores na decisão quanto ao destino de embriões criopreservados e na escolha das características dos receptores dos seus gametas. Há espaço para expandir o debate e promover a pesquisa em torno das implicações sociais e éticas da doação de gametas, considerando a participação de todos os cidadãos.

Abstract: Awareness of the discussion surrounding the social and ethical challenges regarding gamete donation is crucial for good governance of assisted reproduction techniques. In this article, we analyze the topics that guided the debate in the Portuguese ethics organizations, discussing their connections with themes addressed internationally. To that end, in March 2018, we systematically searched the websites of the National Council of Medically Assisted Procreation and of the National Ethics Council for Life Sciences. We carried out a thematic content analysis of 25 documents. Results indicate that the debate was focused on accessibility, anonymity and donors' compensation and, to a lesser extent, on professional responsibilities. We observed heterogeneous positions and tensions between multiple rights and ethical principles associated with recipients, donor-conceived individuals and donors. These invoke three similar arguments: the scarcity of scientific evidence; experiences from other countries; and regulations from in international entities. Literature addressed additional topics, namely: a double track that combines donor anonymity/identification; the implementation of reproduction registries for recipients and donors; limits to the genetic screening of donors; donations by family members/acquaintances; and donors' role in decisions regarding the fate of cryopreserved embryos and in choosing the characteristics of recipients of their gametes. There is room to expand the debate and to promote research on the social and ethical implications of gamete donation, considering the participation of all citizens.

Resumen: Conocer la discusión en torno a los desafíos sociales y éticos de la donación de gametos es fundamental para el buen gobierno de las técnicas de reproducción asistida. En este artículo se analizan los temas que orientaron el debate en las organizaciones de ética portuguesas, discutiendo sus conexiones con los temas abordados internacionalmente. Para este fin, en marzo de 2018, investigamos sistemáticamente las páginas webs del Conselho Nacional de Procriação Medicamente Assistida y del Conselho Nacional de Ética para as Ciências da Vida. Asimismo, procedimos al análisis de contenido temático de 25 documentos. Los resultados indican que el debate se centró en la accesibilidad, anonimato y compensación de donadores y, en menor extensión, en las responsabilidades profesionales. Se observaron posicionamientos heterogéneos y tensiones entre múltiples derechos y principios éticos, asociados a receptores, a personas nacidas gracias a la donación de gametos y a donadores. Estos tienen en común tres alegaciones: la escasez de evidencias científicas; las experiencias de otros países; y las regulaciones procedentes de entidades internacionales. En el literatura se abordan temas adicionales, en particular: una vía doble que conjugue anonimato/identificación de donadores; implementación de sistemas de registro reproductivo para receptores y donadores; límites del rastreo genético a donadores; donación por familiares/conocidos; y el papel de los donadores en la decisión respecto al destino de embriones criopreservados y en la elección de las características de los receptores de sus gametos. Existe espacio para abrir más el debate y promover la investigación en torno de las implicaciones sociales y éticas de la donación de gametos, considerando la participación de todos los ciudadanos.

Mater semper certa est: motherhood is always certain.

The development of oocyte donation has led to a reexamination of the facets of motherhood: the genetic, gestational, and psychosocial contributions. In addition, the practice of oocyte donation has prompted a consideration of the unique psychosocial and legal aspects of this form of family building. In this section of Views and Reviews a summary and discussion of the long-term psychosocial adjustment of oocyte donor-conceived children and their parents is presented. Next, the current permeability around donor anonymity is investigated and questions regarding whether donor anonymity can still exist is discussed. Third, the evolution of oocyte cryopreservation and banking is reviewed and the future of oocyte banking is explored. Finally, as oocyte donation continues to grow and evolve, so too does the legal landscape in which it is practiced. Seminal legal cases are presented to describe the legal landscape that has shaped the practice of oocyte donation.

Las múltiples caras de la maternidad subrogada: ¿aceptamos el caos jurídico actual o buscamos una solución? / The multiple faces of surrogacy: do we accept the current legal chaos or do we look for a solution?

En el presente artículo el Profesor Carlos María Romeo Casabona aborda la situación legal en torno a la maternidad subrogada en nuestro país, exponiendo las posiciones encontradas que esta problemática genera en órganos administrativos y judiciales, el desconcierto que ello ha suscitado y su efecto más nocivo, a saber: los ciudadanos/as españoles acuden al extranjero para conseguir descendencia por este medio, inscribiendo a los hijos como propios, en contra y en fraude de ley. En el trabajo se abordan varias de las posiciones sobre este asunto en nuestro país: Sociedad Española de Fertilidad, proposición de ley del Grupo Parlamentario Ciudadanos y el Comité de Bioética de España, del que incluye el autor su propio voto particular en cuanto vocal de este Comité. Para finalizar nos propone como solución dos vías. En primer lugar, asegurar que el marco legal actual sea respetado y en segundo orden, que se reforme nuestra legislación con el fin de admitir el recurso a la maternidad subrogada en algunos casos, pues representa valores también positivos, como la solidaridad y el altruismo

In this paper Professor Carlos María Romeo Casabona addresses the legal situation regarding surrogacy in our country, exposing the conflicting positions that this problem generates in administrative and judicial bodies, the confusion that this has caused and its most harmful effect, namely: Spanish citizens go abroad to obtain offspring by this means, inscribing the children as their own, against and in fraud of law. The work addresses several of the positions on this issue in our country: Spanish Fertility Society, proposed law of the Citizens Parliamentary Group and the Bioethics Committee of Spain, which includes the author his own particular vote as a member of this Committee. Finally, he proposes two ways as a solution. First, to ensure that the current legal framework is respected and secondly, that our legislation be reformed in order to admit the use of surrogate motherhood in some cases, since it also represents positive values, such as solidarity and altruism

Surrogacy in Spain and the proposal of a legislative change for its regulation. A global phenomenon in Europe / La maternidad subrogada en España y la propuesta de un cambio legislativo para su regulación. Un fenómeno global en Europa

Reopening the debate on surrogacy, the author presents the legal and ethical situation in Spain and also presents the European Case Law Notes in relation to this practice. At the moment the positions of judges and public administrators collide; As consequences of these disparate criteria, citizens are in the position of going abroad to secure offspring through surrogate motherhood, to subsequently register these children as their own, in contradiction with the law in force in Spain and in other countries. The author finishes the paper with several conclusions that determine the legal aspects involved in the transit of this technique to its accomplishment through contracts, thereby specifying the essential elements (capacity, consent, cause and lawful purpose), the content and the possible manner of gestation human life agreements by surrogacy

El debate de la maternidad subrogada continúa abierto y por ello, la autora analiza los aspectos éticos y legales relativos a esta práctica tanto en España como en otros países europeos. Por el momento, la posición de los jueces es discrepante tanto a nivel nacional como internacional por ello, los ciudadanos españoles, aprovechan este caos para ir a países extranjeros y realizar esta práctica opuesta al derecho español, para luego volver a España con la intención de que se reconozca en el registro civil español, a los nacidos mediante esta técnica, como hijos propios. La autora finaliza el trabajo con unas conclusiones en las que se recogen de una parte, cómo debería regularse la maternidad subrogada si el legislador español considerara un cambio normativo (Contrato en el que se recogieran muchos aspectos: capacidad, consentimiento, filiación, abortos, etc.) o bien, cómo debería actuar el Estado ante estos casos respetando el principio de seguridad jurídica por el que dicha práctica está prohibida

Assisted heterologous fertilization and the right of donorconceived children to know their biological origins.

The paper's main goal is to elaborate on the ethical issues that heterologous fertilization has raised as to the right of children thus conceived to find out about their origins. Such a quandary revolves around the following questions: Is it the right thing to inform the child as to the way he or she was conceived? If it is, does said child have a right to know his or her biological parent and genetic background too? Authors point out that there is no unanimity of judgment among experts, and it is worth weighing all reasons in favor and against acknowledging the children's right to full knowledge of their biological parents' data. Laws regulating the issue in different countries vary substantially as well. Therefore, the authors advocate for shared legislation, centered on the children's best interest.

Técnicas de reproducción humana asistida heterólogas: el derecho a conocer los orígenes: ¿Legislación versus subjetividad? / Heterologous assisted reproductive techniques: the right to know the origin: Legislation versus subjectivity? / Técnicas de reprodução humana assistida heterólogas: o direito de conhecer as origens: Legislação versus subjetividade?

Las técnicas de reproducción humana asistida, y en particular las heterólogas, plantean una serie de problemas que se ubican en el cruce tripartito de la ciencia, el derecho y la subjetividad. En este artículo investigamos la relación entre la legislación recientemente aprobada en Argentina respecto del anonimato relativo del donante y las respuestas de los usuarios de técnicas heterólogas -en este caso, la ovodonación-, en cuanto al derecho a conocer el origen genético. Analizamos el dilema entre el texto de la ley, que propicia la comunicación del origen genético al nacido mediante dichas técnicas, y los factores subjetivos que gravitan en la decisión de dar a conocer la información o guardar el secreto. En consecuencia, planteamos que la revelación del origen genético constituye una decisión ética que requiere asumir una responsabilidad subjetiva. Para abordar una problemática de tal complejidad ponemos a dialogar los datos relevados por dos estudios empíricos, con aportes teóricos tomados del Derecho, la bioética narrativa, la antropología y el psicoanálisis.

Assisted reproduction techniques, in particular of heterologous type, open a variety of issues in the intersection of science, rights and subjectivity. In this paper we focus on the relation between the recently approved Argentinian legislation and the responses given by users of heterologous techniques -in this case, oocyte donation- with regard to the right to know the genetic origin. We analyse the dilemma between the law, which promotes the communication of the genetic origin to the subject born by such techniques, and the subjective factors that gravitate in the decision either to disclose the information, or keep it as a secret. Consequently, we argue that the disclosure of the genetic origin is an ethical decision, which requires the assumption of subjective responsibility. To deal with such a complex issue, we cross the data obtained in two empirical studies with theoretical contributions from legal studies, narrative bioethics, anthropology and psychoanalysis.

As técnicas de reprodução humana assistida, e em particular as heterólogas, apresentam uma série de problemas que se localizam no cruzamento tripartite da ciência, do direito e da subjetividade. Neste artigo investigamos a relação entre a legislação recentemente aprovada na Argentina a respeito do anonimato relativo ao doador e as respostas dos usuários de técnicas heterólogas -neste caso, a ovodoação-, e quanto ao direito de conhecer a origem genética. Analisamos o dilema entre o texto da lei, que propicia a comunicação da origem genética ao nascido mediante referidas técnicas, e os fatores subjetivos que gravitam na decisão de dar a conhecer a informação ou guardar o segredo. Em consequência, propomos que a revelação da origem genética constitui uma decisão ética que requer assumir uma responsabilidade subjetiva. Para abordar uma problemática de tal complexidade colocamos a dialogar os dados relevados por dois estudos empíricos, com contribuições teóricas tomadas do Direito, da bioética narrativa, da antropologia e da psicanálise.

Wayward Relations: Novel Searches of the Donor-Conceived for Genetic Kinship.

Searching and finding supposedly anonymous sperm donors or half-siblings by diverting direct-to-consumer genetic testing is a novel phenomenon. I refer to such new forms of kinship as 'wayward relations,' because they are often officially unintended and do not correspond to established kinship roles. Drawing on data mostly from the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States, I argue that wayward relations are a highly contemporary means of asserting agency in a technological world characterized by tensions over knowledge acquisition. I make the case that such relations reaffirm the genetic grounding of kinship, but do not displace other ways of relating--they are complementary not colonizing. Wayward relations challenge the gate-keeper status of fertility clinics and regulators over genetic knowledge and classical notions of privacy.

Views of Swedish commissioning parents relating to the exploitation discourse in using transnational surrogacy.

Transnational surrogacy, when people travel abroad for reproduction with the help of a surrogate mother, is a heavily debated phenomenon. One of the most salient discourses on surrogacy is the one affirming that Westerners, in their quest for having a child, exploit poor women in countries such as India. As surrogacy within the Swedish health care system is not permitted, Swedish commissioning parents have used transnational surrogacy, and the majority has turned to India. This interview study aimed to explore how commissioning parents negotiate the present discourses on surrogacy. Findings from the study suggest that the commissioning parents' views on using surrogacy are influenced by competing discourses on surrogacy represented by media and surrogacy agencies. The use of this reproductive method resulted, then, in some ambiguity. Although commissioning parents defy the exploitation discourse by referring to what they have learnt about the surrogate mother's life situation and by pointing at the significant benefits for her, they still had a request for regulation of surrogacy in Sweden, to better protect all parties involved. This study, then, gives a complex view on surrogacy, where the commissioning parents simultaneously argue against the exploitation discourse but at the same time are uncertain if the surrogate mothers are well protected in the surrogacy arrangements. Their responses to the situation endorse the need for regulation both in Sweden and India.

The limits of evidence: evidence based policy and the removal of gamete donor anonymity in the UK.

This paper will critically examine the use of evidence in creating policy in the area of reproductive technologies. The use of evidence in health care and policy is not a new phenomenon. However, codified strategies for evidence appraisal in health care technology assessments and attempts to create evidence based policy initiatives suggest that the way evidence is used in practice and policy has changed. This paper will examine this trend by considering what is counted as 'good' evidence, difficulties in translating evidence into policy and practice and how evidence interacts with principles. To illustrate these points the removal of gamete donor anonymity in the UK in 2005 and the debates that preceded this change in the law will be examined. It will be argued that evidence will only ever take us so far and attention should also be paid to the underlying principles that guide policy. The paper will conclude with suggestions for how underlying principles can be more rigorously used in policy formation.

Surrogate motherhood: Where Italy is now and where Europe is going. Can the genetic mother be considered the legal mother?

This paper explores a recent case, which has reawakened the debate in Italy over the opportunities offered by technological progress in the field of Assisted Reproduction. On 17 January 2013, the Juvenile Court of Brescia ordered the removal and adoption of a newborn baby whose parents had turned to surrogate motherhood and heterologous insemination in Ukraine, thus expressly violating the Italian and Ukrainian laws. The authors provide a critical analysis of the legal reasoning given by the Court in order to balance the best interests of the unborn child and the needs of certain parents suffering from sterility/infertility problems. In establishing the legal status of parent, the guiding principle must be the child's right not to be objectified or exploited by the adult. Therefore, it is necessary to provide appropriate tools to balance, on the one hand, the defence of the desire to become parents, if legitimate, and on the other the preservation of the legal and harmonious development of the child. Thus, the professionals have the burden of adapting the legal rules to a variety of individual cases, always taking into account the need to comply with the principles of both Constitutional and European Union law.

La reproducción humana asistida en Italia. Presente y futuro después de la derogación de la prohibición de fecundación heteróloga / The Medical-Assisted Reproduction in Italy. Present and future after the annulment of heterologous fertilizatio

Después de dar cuenta de las principales etapas de la evolución de la normativa italiana en materia de reproducción humana asistida (RHA en adelante) en la última década, el presente trabajo ilustra las principales prohibiciones todavía vigentes y ofrece una toma de postura respecto de su aplicación, comparando la situación italiana con la que se ha dado en España después de los fallos más recientes en materia de gestación por sustitución (AU)

The first part of this article presents the most important steps of the Italian law's evolution about medically assisted reproduction (MAR) in the last decade. It also describes the principal prohibitions actually in force and it offers a point of view about its application, comparing the Italian situation with the Spanish one, after the most recent judgments about surrogacy arrangements (AU)

Direito ao conhecimento da origem biológica na reprodução humana assistida: reflexões bioéticas e jurídicas / Right to knowledge of biological origin in human assisted reproduction: bioethical and legal reflections

Este artigo discute o direito ao conhecimento da origem biológica da pessoa gerada por técnica de reprodução humana assistida, apresentando argumentos e problemas envolvidos nesse complexo processo que inclui diferentes interesses. Nesse sentido, foi desenvolvido um estudo hipotético-dedutivo, com base referencial teórica sustentada na bioética e no direito, na medida em que esses dois campos se interseccionavam quanto à natureza da matéria. O estudo avança, ainda, abordando os riscos decorrentes dos avanços tecnológicos e das expectativas dos sujeitos envolvidos, inclusive a vulnerabilidade, o consentimento para doação de gametas e o anonimato dos doadores. Discute, também, os conceitos de "identidade genética" e direito ao conhecimento da "origem biológica", traçando analogia com a legislação brasileira relativa à adoção. Por fim, trata do chamado "pertencimento do segredo", refletindo sobre os argumentos encontrados na literatura afim, inclusive o contexto de "desbiologização" atualmente defendido pelos tribunais superiores...

Este artículo aborda el derecho al conocimiento del origen biológico de la persona generada por técnica de reproducción humana asistida, presentando los argumentos y problemas implicados en este complejo proceso que involucra diferentes intereses. En este sentido, se ha desarrollado un estudio hipotético-deductivo, con sustento teórico en bioética y derecho, y la intersección de estos dos campos respecto a la naturaleza del tema. El estudio avanza, haciendo relación a los riesgos de los avances tecnológicos y las expectativas de los participantes, la vulnerabilidad, el consentimiento para la donación de gametos y el anonimato de los donantes. Son analizados también los conceptos de "identidad genética" y el derecho a conocer el "origen biológico", haciendo una analogía con la legislación brasileña relativa a la adopción. Por último, se aborda la llamada "pertenencia del secreto ", al reflexionar sobre los argumentos de la literatura al respecto, incluyendo el contexto de " desbiologización " actualmente defendida por los tribunales superiores...

[Artificial insemination with donor sperm in the Netherlands: future-proof?]. / Kunstmatige inseminatie met donorsperma in Nederland: toekomstbestendig?

In recent years much has changed in care for artificial insemination with donor sperm (AID). Since new laws and regulations were implemented, a large number of sperm banks have closed and the total number of sperm donors and their availability have decreased. Long waiting times and the use of sperm donors recruited by foreign commercial sperm banks can indicate a shortage of sperm donors. The fact that the internet offers women the possibility of ordering donor sperm and starting treatment without the intervention of a sperm bank means that future donor-conceived children may be prevented from obtaining the identity of their sperm donor as stipulated in the Dutch law on donor information in the context of artificial insemination. In order to comply with this law, an active recruitment policy is needed for Dutch sperm donors, to prevent waiting lists and treatments outside Dutch sperm banks. Only then can current AID care be guaranteed in the Netherlands in the future.

ESHRE Task Force on Ethics and Law 21: genetic screening of gamete donors: ethical issues.

This Task Force document explores the ethical issues involved in the debate about the scope of genetic screening of gamete donors. Calls for expanded donor screening arise against the background of both occasional findings of serious but rare genetic conditions in donors or donor offspring that were not detected through present screening procedures and the advent of new genomic technologies promising affordable testing of donors for a wide range of conditions. Ethical principles require that all stakeholders' interests are taken into account, including those of candidate donors. The message of the profession should be that avoiding all risks is impossible and that testing should remain proportional.