I’d like to set a challenge to all sperm banks in the U.S.
I invite you to follow in the steps of many egg clinics and agencies, and offer your donors and parents the option of writing the Donor Sibling Registry into your sperm banking agreements — establishing anonymous (if desired) contact on the Donor Sibling Registry, right from the start.
The Donor Sibling Registry (DSR) is a non-profit organization that assists individuals who were conceived as a result of sperm, egg, or embryo donation and are seeking to make mutually desired contact with others with whom they share genetic ties. We facilitate contact among half-siblings (and their parents), and we also connect donors and families who wish to be in touch — often long before the children turn 18.
Since 2000, we have helped to connect more than 12,700 people on our website, and we now have a total of 48,400 members, including more than 2,400 donors. One DSR sperm donor was featured this week on the CBS Sunday Morning News show meeting several of his donor offspring.
Another donor describes his heartfelt reasoning for desiring contact:
“My decision to be a donor was inspired by the blessed gift of my children. They and their half-siblings (I only know of a son and daughter) have the right to know each other. With humility, I can say that I’ve never had misgivings about being a donor and continue to desire contact without any presumptions. I sent an inquiry and personal letter to [my sperm bank], and, having since discovered the DSR, will trust the universe in this quest. As a parent of children who are the light of my life, I already feel an affinity with the parents of these children conceived in trust and love.”
“My decision to be a donor was inspired by the blessed gift of my children. They and their half-siblings (I only know of a son and daughter) have the right to know each other. With humility, I can say that I’ve never had misgivings about being a donor and continue to desire contact without any presumptions. I sent an inquiry and personal letter to [my sperm bank], and, having since discovered the DSR, will trust the universe in this quest. As a parent of children who are the light of my life, I already feel an affinity with the parents of these children conceived in trust and love.”
We’re reaching out to people who facilitate the creation of happy families. We’d like to partner with you. Here’s why:
• As we move toward increased openness as a society, there’s a particularly strong need to stay at the forefront of the trend within the donor industry.
• 2012 published research (Reproductive BioMedicine Online) on 164 sperm donors showed that, while 84% of sperm donors have never been contacted by their sperm banks for medical updates, 23% of the donors felt they, or close family members, had medical/genetic issues that would be important to share with families. 94% were open to contact with offspring.
• Registering on the DSR is the only way for parents and donors to stay anonymous (if desired) while still establishing relationships and sharing medical info.
• It can be of equal medical importance to donors that their offspring provide updated medical information, especially as the donors build their own families.
• We now know that there is a desire for earlier contact between donors and recipient families. Many appreciate the ability to establish contact and foster relationships as a child is growing up. Many think that 18 is an arbitrary age that does not meet the needs of donor offspring.
• Families often wish they could ask their donors simple questions, such as “My son would like to know if you ever played a musical instrument?” or “Is there any diabetes in your family?” or “My 10-year-old daughter would like to send you a Father’s Day message, is that ok?”
• The DSR can help by providing a valuable service to your parents and donors, and to your company — at no cost to you. (It’s a win-win-win!)
• As we move toward increased openness as a society, there’s a particularly strong need to stay at the forefront of the trend within the donor industry.
• 2012 published research (Reproductive BioMedicine Online) on 164 sperm donors showed that, while 84% of sperm donors have never been contacted by their sperm banks for medical updates, 23% of the donors felt they, or close family members, had medical/genetic issues that would be important to share with families. 94% were open to contact with offspring.
• Registering on the DSR is the only way for parents and donors to stay anonymous (if desired) while still establishing relationships and sharing medical info.
• It can be of equal medical importance to donors that their offspring provide updated medical information, especially as the donors build their own families.
• We now know that there is a desire for earlier contact between donors and recipient families. Many appreciate the ability to establish contact and foster relationships as a child is growing up. Many think that 18 is an arbitrary age that does not meet the needs of donor offspring.
• Families often wish they could ask their donors simple questions, such as “My son would like to know if you ever played a musical instrument?” or “Is there any diabetes in your family?” or “My 10-year-old daughter would like to send you a Father’s Day message, is that ok?”
• The DSR can help by providing a valuable service to your parents and donors, and to your company — at no cost to you. (It’s a win-win-win!)
In 2015, another published study of sperm donors in Facts, Views & Vision in OB/GYN (the Scientific Journal of the Flemish Society of Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Health), called “Sperm Donors Describe the Experience of Contact with their Donor-Conceived Offspring,” revealed that most of the surveyed donors had become curious about, and had made contact with, their offspring. Almost half of the respondents now considering their donor-conceived offspring to be “like a family member.” At the same time, donors were respectful of the integrity of the families in which their offspring were raised.
What Does a Relationship With the DSR Do for Your Sperm Bank?
• CONTACT: The issue of contact between the donor and the recipient is removed from the hands and focus of the sperm bank.
• CONSENT: Since the DSR relies on mutual consent, the sperm bank doesn’t need to be worried about protecting anyone’s privacy.
• CHOICE: Each party can remain anonymous if they choose, so the decision is ultimately in the hands of those involved. Each party can decide how much information they’re comfortable sharing.
• CURRENT: The sharing and updating of medical records happens on the DSR, so the agency/clinic has less work since they have provided a tool for medical updates.
• EMPOWER: Parents and donors are empowered to set the parameters of their own relationships, without a middleman, and without waiting 18 years. Offspring have the opportunity to establish relationships with their genetic fathers while they are developing, not having to wait until they are adults.
• CONTACT: The issue of contact between the donor and the recipient is removed from the hands and focus of the sperm bank.
• CONSENT: Since the DSR relies on mutual consent, the sperm bank doesn’t need to be worried about protecting anyone’s privacy.
• CHOICE: Each party can remain anonymous if they choose, so the decision is ultimately in the hands of those involved. Each party can decide how much information they’re comfortable sharing.
• CURRENT: The sharing and updating of medical records happens on the DSR, so the agency/clinic has less work since they have provided a tool for medical updates.
• EMPOWER: Parents and donors are empowered to set the parameters of their own relationships, without a middleman, and without waiting 18 years. Offspring have the opportunity to establish relationships with their genetic fathers while they are developing, not having to wait until they are adults.
We invite you to set a precedent within the sperm banking industry. Become a leader in fully educating and supporting families and donors. If we ask, “What is in the best interests of the child being born?” the answer is never “to use anonymous donors.” Anonymity is antiquated. It is a concept of the past in the adoption community and is becoming so in sperm and egg donation as well. The desire to connect is here now, and we can move the sperm banking industry forward in an open and supportive way, acknowledging the rights and needs of donor-conceived people to know about their biological parents, the rights of donors to know about children that they help to create, and the rights of parents to better serve the needs of their donor-conceived children.
We look forward to working with you! We have sample contract verbiage and frequently asked questions on the DSR website to help you incorporate the DSR into your donor and parent agreements.
Some feedback from the egg donation industry:
“More and more of our recipient and donor pairs hope to sign up for the Donor Sibling Registry. We often have comments about how helpful you are as a facilitator.” —Andi, Oregon Reproductive Medicine
“More and more of our recipient and donor pairs hope to sign up for the Donor Sibling Registry. We often have comments about how helpful you are as a facilitator.” —Andi, Oregon Reproductive Medicine
“Each year I see more intended parents who want to make sure their child one day ”has the option” to meet their donor if they wish. As an agency I am grateful that there is a program like the Donor Sibling Registry that can be an advocate for the child, donor, and intended parents who desire this type of relationship.” —Katy Encalade, Program Director, Egg Donor Solutions
“Just wanted to send a note to say how much our clinic appreciates this option for our patients. Currently our office only offers anonymous embryo donation. However, some of our patients would like a more open arrangement. Your site allows patients who trust our office and want to stay with us, to have the best of both worlds. Now they have a place where they can go to control the amount of contact they have with their donor or recipient. It’s the perfect solution for them and we are grateful you offer this option!” —Christine, The Fertility Center, MI
“While exploring the idea of Egg Donation to build a family, there are unknown scenarios that families may encounter. It is simple for both intended parents and egg donors to consider their feelings and needs now but they may not fully understand what future questions there might be. The Donor Sibling Registry allows a safe and comfortable way to allow future communication when it becomes apparent it would be beneficial to a parent, the egg donor, or a resulting child. The Registry allows all parties to ask questions, exchange medical information, and possibly meet when the time is right for each. The Donor Sibling Registry allows all individuals to move at their pace, and the lifetime membership is a worthwhile investment.” —Kallie Wilson, MSW, Care Coordinator, Egg Donor Solutions