My Daddy's Name is Donor

My Daddy’s Name is Donor Fertility Industry – Today, the United States alone has a fertility industry that brings in $3.3 billion annually; with estimated 30,000 – 60,000 children born each year through sperm donation! Meanwhile, “fertility tourism” has taken off as a booming global trade, with the largest sperm bank in the world, ‘Cryos,’ in Denmark, which ships three-quarters of its sperm overseas. New Study – Since many of these children have now become adults, a new study, “My Daddy’sName is Donor, was initiated in an effort to learn about their identity, kinship, well-being and social justice experiences. The research included more than a million households across the United States, through which representative samples were assembled from adults between the ages of 18 and 45, comprised of 485 adults conceived thru sperm donation, 562 who had been adopted as infants, and 563 who were raised by their own biological parents. The Study Reports – On average, the study revealed that young adults conceived through sperm donation are hurting more, are more confused, and feel more isolated from their families. They experienced higher rates of depression, delinquency and substance abuse, than their peers who were raised by biological parents. Nearly two-thirds agree, “My sperm donor is half of who I am.” Concerns of Sperm Donor Children – Nearly half of those conceived thru sperm donation were disturbed that money was involved in their conception. More than half said, that when they see someone who resembles them, they wonder if they are related. That concern was further complicated by the possibility of becoming attracted to and or having sexual relations with someone whom they are unknowingly related. Family Relationships – (48 %) of donor offspring, compared to (19%) of adopted adults expressed feeling sadness upon seeing friends with their biological fathers and mothers. Furthermore, (53%), of donor offspring, compared to (29%) of adopted adults agree, “It hurts when I hear other people talk about their genealogical background.” Marital Transitions – Compared to adopted children and those raised by biological parents, sperm donor children experienced far more “family transitions” ie … divorce etc., particularly those raised by single mothers. Donor Offspring Broadly Affirm a Right to Know the Truth About their Origins. – Approximately two-thirds of grown donor offspring support the right to non-identifying information about the sperm donor biological father, his identity and possible relationship with him, existence and identity of any half-siblings and possible relationship with them etc. Medical Concerns: – Sperm donor children experience a lack of knowledge regarding any medical family history – in some cases this resulted in near tragedy. Regulations and Bans on Sperm Donation – In recent years Britain, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland and some parts of Australia and New Zealand have banned anonymous donation of sperm and eggs. Croatia has recently considered such a law. In Canada, a class-action suit has been launched has been launched seeking a similar outcome. This study affirms that a majority of donor offspring support such legal reforms. Donor Conception is Not “just like” Adoption – Adoption is a good, vital, and positive institution that finds parents for children who need families. There are some similarities between donor conception and adoption; however our study reveals that there are also many differences. But the similar struggles experienced by both adoptive and sperm donor children, should caution us regarding deliberately placing a child in such a situation.