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The Documentary: Donor babies: A question of identity

Donor babies: A question of identity

26/09/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Donor babies: A question of identity

People born as a result of egg and sperm donation on finding their real identities

People born as a result of egg and sperm donation talk about finding their real identities

For many people around the world, donation of sperm or an egg can be the difference between becoming parents and not. But while this donation can make their dream of parenthood come true, what are the considerations for the end result, the child themselves? 

Donation and IVF can help jump the hurdles when it comes to the physical process of conception for would-be parents, but what about the emotional and psychological impact on the people who eventually find out they are not biologically related to one or both of their parents? 

Louise McLoughlin, herself donor-conceived, hears from people around the world who have been faced with the news they are not the identity they assumed they were. Among them are the triplets who discovered the origin of their conception via a drunk aunt at a party, and a woman who found out she was donor-conceived after doing a DNA test; she tracked down her biological father and many of her half-siblings. Also, she hears from people angry that families did not reveal their true identities until much later in life and some whose lack of biological family knowledge has led to difficulties managing chronic health conditions.

Presenter: Louise McLoughlin
Producer: Ashley Byrne and Kurt Brookes 
A Made in Manchester production for BBC World Service

(Photo: Presenter Louise McLoughlin. Credit: Louise McLoughlin)

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