Studies on this topic convey a consistent view that current donor conception laws are increasingly outdated, particularly in light of DNA testing and changing family structures, and that reforms are needed to improve information-sharing, access to genetic origins, and support systems. The literature is predominantly theoretical and policy-based, looking into legal analysis, ethical arguments, and existing research, rather than new data based on people’s experiences.
Overall, the literature is strong in offering clear, practical recommendations and highlighting structural and ethical issues, but is limited by a lack of specific data on the topics discussed, and a tendency to assume that proposed reforms will work in practice.
Main Papers
Paper 1
Why UK Laws on Donor Conception Need Updating in the Age of DNA Testing
Authors: Redhead, C., Barker, N., Fox, M., Frith, L. 2025
Key Words: donor conception law, UK policy, Warnock Report, anonymity, genetic testing, donor siblings, legal reform, ethics, counselling, family limits, HFEA
Aim: To examine whether current UK laws on donor conception are still suitable today, and to argue for reforms based on social and technological changes.
Findings: The authors argue that current UK laws are outdated, especially due to DNA testing and changing ideas of family, and that reforms are needed to improve information-sharing, support systems, and regulation of donor conception.
Participants: N/A
Methodology: The paper combines legal analysis with examples from interviews about people’s experiences and stakeholder workshops (e.g. the ConnecteDNA project) to explore how current laws affect people involved in donor conception.
Paper 2
How UK Policies Shape What People Are Told About Donor Conception – and What Is Left Out
Authors: Gilman, L. and Nordqvist, P. 2018
Key Words: donor conception policy, UK law, openness, disclosure, information sharing, HFEA, ethics, donor offspring, regulation, family relationships
Aim: To examine how UK policies organise and control what information about donor conception is shared, and with whom, and what this means for how donor conception is understood.
Findings: UK policy prioritises sharing information with donor conceived people about their origins, while overlooking other kinds of relationships (such as those between donors and parents) and alternative ways in which information might be shared, thereby shaping how donor conception is understood.
Participants: N/A
Methodology: The researchers analysed UK laws, policy documents, and official guidelines to examine how information about donor conception is managed and framed within regulation.
Paper 3
Should Donor Conceived Children Be Told Who Their Donor Is at Birth Instead of at 18?
Authors: Ng, G. 2023
Key Words: donor identity, disclosure age, UK law, egg donation, anonymity, ethics, HFEA, donor conception, child rights, DNA testing
Aim: To explore whether UK law should change to allow donor conceived children to access identifying information about their donor at birth rather than at age 18 (as is current law).
Findings: The paper argues that earlier knowledge of donor identity could support donor conceived children’s identity development and access to information but also raises concerns about emotional readiness, family dynamics, and donor privacy.
Participants: N/A
Methodology: The paper analyses UK fertility laws and ethical arguments, alongside existing research and examples, to evaluate the potential impacts of changing the age at which donor identity can be known.
Paper 4
Why UK Laws on Donor Anonymity Need to Change in the Age of DNA Testing
Authors: Redhead, C., Frith, L. 2024
Key Words: donor conception, DNA testing, donor anonymity, procedural justice, law reform, identity rights, UK policy, HFEA
Aim: To argue for reform of UK donor conception laws by examining how DNA testing and current legal processes unfairly restrict donor conceived people’s access to information about their genetic origins.
Findings: The paper argues that current UK donor conception laws are outdated and unjust, particularly in the context of DNA testing, and should be reformed to improve access to donor information.
Participants: N/A
Methodology: Theoretical and legal analysis of whether existing legislation on donor anonymity/identifiability is perceived as fair, respectful, and inclusive and/or whether it creates harm that occurs gradually and often invisibly over time. Supported by in-depth interview data from the ConnecteDNA project.
Paper 5
What Do UK Egg and Sperm Donors Think About Identity-Release Donation?
Authors: Gilman, L. 2016
Key Words: gamete donation, identity-release, donors, UK policy, ethics, donor-offspring contact, altruism, donor motivations
Aim: To explore how UK identity-release gamete donors understand and experience donation, and what this means for policy and practice.
Findings: Donors generally supported identity-release policies and viewed donation as an altruistic act, while navigating complex expectations around their role in relation to recipients and donor-conceived offspring.
Participants: 24 gamete donors (egg donors, sperm donors, known donors, altruistic donors, and egg-shares): 8 men, 16 women. All donated after 2005 (identity-release system). 20 clinic staff also interviewed observations in 2 fertility clinics.
Methodology: In-depth interviews with donors, alongside observations and staff interviews in fertility clinics, to understand donors’ experiences and perspectives.
Paper 6
Why the UK Birth Certificate System Should Include Information About Donor Conception
Authors: Crawshaw, M., Blyth, E., Feast, J. 2017
Key Words: birth registration, donor conception, UK law, identity rights, genetic origins, policy reform, ethics, HFEA
Aim: To evaluate whether the UK birth registration system adequately supports people born through donor conception and to propose reforms to improve access to information about their origins.
Findings: The current UK birth registration system does not adequately support Donor Conceived People’s right to know their genetic origins and requires reform to improve access to this information.
Participants: N/A
Methodology: The paper analyses current UK birth registration laws and policies, and uses existing research and legal frameworks to propose a model for reform that better reflects genetic and gestational parentage.
Paper 7
When Should People Be Allowed to Change Their Mind About Using Donated Eggs, Sperm, or Embryos?
Authors: Frith, L., Blyth, E. 2019
Key Words: consent, embryo donation, sperm donation, egg donation, UK law, ethics, reproductive rights, autonomy, fertility treatment, regulation
Aim: To explore when it should no longer be possible for someone to withdraw consent for the use of stored sperm, eggs, or embryos, and whether current UK law should be changed.
Findings: The paper argues that having one fixed “cut-off point” for withdrawing consent is too rigid, and suggests that different situations should have different rules to better protect people’s choices and reduce harm.
Participants: N/A
Methodology: The authors analyse UK law and ethical principles to evaluate current rules about consent in fertility treatment, and propose alternative ways of deciding when consent should no longer be withdrawn.
Paper 8
Are UK Fertility Rules Pushing Women to Find Sperm Donors Online Instead of Using Clinics?
Authors: Taylor, F., Turner-Moore, R., Pacey, A., Jones, G. 2022
Key Words: sperm donation, UK policy, NHS funding, online sperm donation, reproductive justice, inequality, LGBTQ+, fertility access, unregulated donation, health disparities
Aim: To examine whether UK fertility policies and funding restrictions are leading more women to seek sperm donors through unregulated online routes instead of licensed clinics.
Findings: The paper argues that restrictive policies and unequal access to NHS-funded fertility treatment – especially for single women, same-sex couples, and lower-income groups – may be pushing more people to seek sperm donors online.
Participants: N/A
Methodology: The authors collate existing evidence, including UK policy guidelines, national fertility data, and previous research studies, to analyse patterns in access to sperm donation and the rise of online sperm donation.
Paper 9
What Age Is “Right” for Donor-Conceived Children to Find Their Donor Relatives?
Authors: Gilman, L., Nordqvist, P., Hudson, N., & Frith, L. 2025
Key Words: direct-to-consumer genetic testing, donor conception, parents, disclosure, donor relatives, donor siblings, age, childhood, family decisions, kinship
Aim: To explore how parents of donor conceived children decide when (or if) their child should find and connect with donor relatives, especially in the context of DNA testing making this possible at any age.
Findings: Parents had mixed views about the “right age” for children to find donor relatives, but most saw childhood as a sensitive period – either as a time when strong bonds could form between donor-conceived children and genetically related others or a time when children might be emotionally vulnerable – leading to uncertainty and careful decision-making.
Participants: 20 parents of donor conceived children, 18 women, 2 men. Children’s ages ranged from infancy (0–3) to adulthood (up to 40). Family types included solo parents, heterosexual couples, same-sex couples. Donor types included sperm, egg, and embryo donation. Majority were White and highly educated.
Methodology: Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with parents, asking about their experiences of donor conception and their views on DNA testing and connecting with donor relatives. The interviews explored how parents think about timing, risks, and benefits of finding genetic relatives.
Additional Papers where policy reform is referenced but not a main focus
Paper 10: What Support Do Donor-Conceived People Need When Searching for Genetic Relatives?
Huge thanks to Xinia for putting this page together!