The main objective of the Donor Conceived Register is to match pre-August 1991 donors and donor conceived people and/or donor conceived people sharing the same donor.
In August 1991 the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act (1990, 2008 amended) came into force. The HFEA Act requires the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA; the statutory body) to keep a database of every IVF treatment carried out and a database relating to all cycles and use of donated eggs, sperm and embryos since that date. Treatments before that time are not recorded, so without DNA testing donor conceived people and donors have no formal way of establishing links.
What are the chances of finding a match?
The majority of donor conception parents who received treatment before 1991 were advised by professionals not to tell their children of the nature of their conception. Many donor conceived people from this era therefore don’t know they’re donor conceived people. Also, if they have been told or have found out, it doesn’t necessarily lead to an interest in finding out who the donor is.
Furthermore, at that time, donations happened anonymously. Most donors weren’t (made) aware that donor conceived people might have an interest to find out about the donor so may not have given it much thought. We have since learnt that many donors would be happy to be identified but it’s assumed that many donors don’t realise they can have their identity made known.
What does that mean for the Register?
Nobody knows how many donor conceived people know and are curious about their conception. Nobody knows how many donors are aware of the option to find out and if they are curious about their offspring. What we do know is that too many don’t know about this register or are not comfortable with registering.
We hope that people affected by donor conception will realise that being matched on the Donor Conceived Register doesn’t mean their life is going to be turned upside down. No one is expected to go beyond the level of contact they are comfortable with and free specialist support is offered at any given stage.
What else does the Register offer?
We invite all registrants to join the DCR Registrants Panel (DCR RP). The Panel is run by DCR registrants alongside dedicated volunteers from the Donor Conceived UK. They prepare newsletters with the latest updates on donor conception and organise informal social events every Spring and Winter.
These gatherings are a wonderful way to:
- Build connections with others who have shared similar experiences
- Share stories, support one another, and feel part of a community
- Stay informed with relevant news and updates through the DCR
You will receive communication from the DCR RP throughout the year so you can stay connected and informed.
We’d also like to invite you to join the private Facebook group Donor Conceived UK (DCUK). This group offers a safe space and informal support for donor-conceived individuals over 18 years old and donors who donated 18 or more years ago. Please note that the group is not open for anyone outside of those two groups of people. Membership is completely optional, and you are free to leave at any time. If you’d like to join, simply send a request through DCUK Facebook Group.
Who can register?
Donors and Donor Conceived People who donated or were conceived before August 1991
You are eligible to register and access all benefits of the Donor Conceived Register.
Donors and Donor Conceived People from August 1991-2000
You can register to join the DCR DNA Database, but please note that counselling services are not available for this group.
More information
The DCR have contacted all existing members of the Register to inform them of the changes in service provision in 2019.
A copy of our privacy notice was sent to explain how personal data would be processed, what data we are collecting, why we need it, what it is used for and who would have access to this information.
Here at the Donor Conceived Register we are able to offer you support from our team of specialised counsellors.
We strongly encourage you to take advantage of our confidential counselling service (2 sessions are free and costed at £25 thereafter) which gives you the chance to talk things through in a way, and at a time, to suit you. This service is available to all DCR registrants, and immediate family, at any time, whether joining the DNA database or not.
Sessions can be completed via telephone or online. Please to get in touch to find out how to access our support service by emailing: donorconceivedregister
If you wish to learn more about the service, please contact the counselling team to discuss your options. Patricia Lambert, DCR Counselling Lead, telephone: 0151 702 4339 or email: donorconceivedregister
Details of the agreement between Donor Conceived Register and DNA Analysis at King’s College London can be viewed in the DCR contract as per the King’s College terms and conditions.
-
Liverpool Women’s University Hospital
Address: Liverpool Women’s University Hospital
Crown Street
Liverpool
L8 7SS
The Donor Conceived Register is based within the Hewitt Fertility Centre at Liverpool Women’s University Hospital.
Please address written correspondence to:
Donor Conceived Register, Hewitt Fertility Centre, Liverpool Women’s University Hospital, Crown Street, L8 7SS
Donor Conceived UK
HFEA Resources
Helpful resources from ConnecteDNA
- Contact with donor conceived people: Donor FAQs
- Contact stories: Donors
- Important information for people who have donated eggs, sperm or an embryo in the past: What you need to know
- Preparing you and your family for the possibility of contact: Questions to consider
- Stories of (possible) contact: Relatives of donors.
Documentaries and short films
- Offspring by Barry Stevens (A UK donor conceived adult, now living in the US)
- DNA testing, sperm donor anonymity and me by Natasha Fox
- Donor Unknown Focusses on a US Donor and his offspring.
Books
Articles
DCR Registrants Panel and Facebook Group
We invite you to be part of the DCR Registrants Panel. The DCR RP is organised by DCR registrants, and the Chair and her team prepare newspapers with recent news about donor conception and meetings during Spring and Winter every year. These events help to build support networks within the register as they allow to meet others who have experienced similar circumstances and being given the opportunity to talk, share and make connections is invaluable and it is fantastic. You will receive communication from the RP Chair through the DCR.
We also invite you to join the Facebook group 'Donor Conceived UK' which offers informal support to donor conceived individuals, former donors and all those impacted by UK donor conception. Rest assured, the group is 100% private, and you are free to leave at any time. If you wish to become a member, please send a request to DCUK Facebook Group.
Other groups
- Donor Conceived Offspring, Donors, Parents. This group is for all people who were conceived via anonymous donor, people who used anonymous donors to conceive their children, and anyone who donated sperm or eggs or is considering donor conception.
- DNA for the Donor Conceived. A subgroup of DNA Detectives, this Facebook group was created especially to help donor conceived individuals and donors search for family members using DNA test results.
- Worldwide Donor Conceived People Network. This group exists exclusively for donor conceived people (including those born of surrogacy) around the world. Friends of Donor Conceived Individuals A group to help friends of donor conceived individuals to learn how donor conceived people feel and the various obstacles and emotions we face.
- Gen Z Donor Conceived People. This group is meant to be a positive place for younger donor conceived people.
- We Are Donor Conceived. Donor conceived people around the world can share their perspectives on topics relevant to our community, connect with each other, and find support using this Facebook group, which also acts as a news feed for site-related content, including photos, stories, resources, and news updates.