More donor children request information about biological father

Photo: Depositphotos.com
Photo: Depositphotos.com

There has been a marked increase in the number of donor children requesting information about their biological father, the organisation for artificial insemination donor information SDKB has said.

Some 1,415 people wanted some form of information in 2021, up 30% compared to year before and the highest number in 10 years, the organisation said in its annual report.

March and December showed the highest increase, possibly as a result of a doucmentary series about Jan Karbaat,  a fertility doctor who used his own sperm to impregnate dozens of women without their knowledge.

A programme on genetics may also have prompted more requests. Genetic information may help donor children suffering from genetic disorders, such as early cancer.

Some 457 parents asked for physical and social data on the donor, such as height, weight, profession and personal characteristics, the highest number recorded. A further 343 donor children conceived before June 1 2004 wanted to know the identity of their donors.

Before this date sperm donors had the option to remain anonymous but any data that have been kept must be made available.  All data surrounding artificial insemination since June 1 2004 must be registered and made available on request.

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