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By Laura Bridgens, founder of Donor Conceived UK Donor-conceived people (DCP) may have unique perspectives and feelings about their origins, and it’s important for recipient parents and gamete donors to be aware of the ethical considerations to ensure the best possible outcomes for DCP. Here are some key ethical considerations from the perspective of adult DCP: …

“As far as I’m concerned you grew up in a nice family with loving parents” (Sarah) “Why do you care, you have a Mum and Dad” (Sarah) “Stop sharing private family information” (Sarah) “Aren’t you glad you’re alive?” (DCUK Consultation) “But you must have been so wanted, remember that” (DCUK Consultation) “But are you allowed…

Name: Dean Donated: 1982 Where donated: Southampton General Hospital One day in 1982, aged 28, I found myself in the Southampton General Hospital (SGH) library studying for exams to qualify as a Biomedical Scientist. I had slipped away for a coffee and came back to my desk to find a slip of paper randomly placed…

Margaret Constance Noel Jackson (née Hadley): Born 18 December 1898. Died 11 October 1987. Margaret Jackson started practising Donor Conception in 1937. In Margaret Jackson’s early days as a fertility ‘doctor’ she used her husband’s sperm, Lawrence (“John”) Nelson Jackson. One of our DCP’s in our community was created by Margaret Jackson in 1944. We know for…

Name: Steve Donated: 1978 (at age 28) Where donated: Wiston’s clinic in Brighton My donor journey was anything but altruistic. It was financially driven, pure and simple. Newly arrived in Brighton, and the proud possessor of a mortgage, I decided it was time to go back to university as a mature student of 28. Suddenly…

Name: Rod Donated: 1980-83 (at age 26-29) Where donated: North Devon Hospital, Barnstaple My (first) wife drew my attention to a call for volunteer donors in the North Devon Advertiser and that led me to the door of consultant gynaecologist, John M McGarry (known as “Mac” to his friends) at North Devon Hospital. He explained…

Name: Becca  Conceived: 1985 Where Conceived: Watford General Hospital During my late 20s I was working a job that I had fallen into and dreaming of my next adventure.  I had lined up my visas, booked my plane ticket…and almost finished packing my bags. All that was left to do was say my goodbyes. Five…

Name: Rosalind Conceived: 1967 Where conceived: Margaret Jackson clinic, Exeter I was 15 years old when I found out I was Donor Conceived. My parents sat me down and said, “We have something to tell you…” I immediately said, “I am adopted aren’t I?….” When they told me I was Donor Conceived everything slotted into place. I instantly…

Name: Marcus Conceived: 1976 Where Conceived: Dr Newill, Harley St I did a 23andme test in the summer of 2023 for a health screen as I was interested in the idea of BRCA testing at home due to my area of work. As a result of the test, I found out I was BRCA negative,…

Name: Louise Conceived: 1974 Where conceived: Margaret Jackson clinic, Exeter You can hear more about Louise’s experience of being Donor Conceived on the The Gift, Series 2, 6. Superdonor. I was told that I was Donor Conceived in March 2013, when I was in my late 30’s. The sister I was raised with collapsed and…