Studies on this topic illustrate that forming connections with donors and donor siblings is a highly variable and often complex process, shaped by expectations, identity, and existing family relationships, with experiences ranging from meaningful connection to ambivalence or rejection. The literature predominantly draws on in-depth interviews to capture these nuanced and relational dynamics, with some survey-based studies linking these experiences to identity and wellbeing.
Overall, the literature is strong in capturing the complexity of these relationships, but is limited by the fact that those who are not interested in making connections or do not know that they are donor conceived are less likely to take part in research on this topic. Most participants are sperm donor conceived, and there is a lack of evidence on how common different types of experiences (e.g., positive and negative) are.
Main Paper
Paper 1
How Donor-Conceived Adults Use DNA Registers to Find Biological Relatives
Authors: Frith, L., Blyth, E., Crawshaw M., van den Akker, O. 2017
Key Words: donor conception, DNA linking register, identity, kinship, donor siblings, searching, family relationships, UK DonorLink, sperm donation
Aim: To explore how donor-conceived adults use a DNA linking register to search for genetic relatives, and how this affects their identity, sense of kinship, and family relationships.
Findings: Being donor-conceived and searching for genetic relatives had complex and varied effects on identity and family relationships. For some, it helped make sense of their lives and strengthened identity, while for others it created feelings of loss or disruption. Searching often led to meaningful new connections (especially with donor siblings), but also highlighted that biological links do not always translate into close relationships.
Participants: 65 donor-conceived adults, 21-65 years old, 77% female. All registered with UK DonorLink (DNA register) and conceived via anonymous sperm donation (pre-1991).
Methodology: A questionnaire study using online and paper surveys, including both structured and open-ended questions, used to identify patterns in participants’ experiences.
Additional Papers where donor siblings + donor relationships is referenced but not a main focus
Paper 2: How At-Home DNA Tests Are Changing What People Find Out About Donor Conception
Paper 3: How At-Home DNA Tests Are Used by Donor-Conceived People and Families
Paper 4: How DNA Testing Is Changing Family Relationships for Donor-Conceived People
Paper 6: What Do UK Egg and Sperm Donors Think About Identity-Release Donation?
Paper 7: How Teenagers Feel About Being Born Through Surrogacy or Donor Conception
Paper 8: What Happens When Donor-Conceived Adults Search (or Don’t Search) for Genetic Relatives?
Huge thanks to Xinia for putting this page together!