As we have seen, many sperm banks are very attentive at first, when you are trying to get pregnant. But then later on down the line when there is a medical issue, or perhaps there is a donor conceived person desperately wanting to connect with half siblings and/or their donor, the banks can refuse to give out medical information and donor numbers. Many sperm banks will not even give the donors themselves their donor numbers- so that when they need to share medical information, the banks essentially prohibit this from happening.
I have tried to help several DSR families over the years gain information from Idant Laboratories, and each and every time we seem to end up empty handed. Whether it is a donor or adult donor conceived person trying to find out their donor numbers, or a parent trying to find out medical information, Idant has just not been responsive. They will not return phone calls, faxes or emails. Then, if you can get Dr. Feldshuh on the phone, he makes promises that he doesn’t keep, and then will not return any subsequent follow-up phone calls, emails or faxes. Even when you send them several times.
Here are excerpts from a letter just written to Dr. Feldshuh by the mother of an adult donor conceived person, who has been trying to get the donor number she used (as well as medical information on the donor) so that her son can check to see if others are posted on the DSR:
“You have records of calls and other correspondence from previous years as well as notes from phone calls and faxes and letters from both Wendy Kramer and myself throughout this year, all asking for information on my son’s donor father.
It is despicable that after essentially saying, we have searched high and low and cannot find any records for or about you or your donor.
Shameful to have ended my search with such a cavalier and unacceptable response.
It is hard to believe that you are in the business of making lives and have responsibility for providing accurate and current health and genetic information about your donors.
It is unconscionable that you do not retain and update important information about donors and their offspring.
A very disturbing ending to what was a joyful association with your group.”