Parental information sharing with donor insemination conceived offspring: a follow-up study

Abstract

background: Studies of parental decision making regarding information sharing with offspring conceived as a result of donor insemination are almost all based on a 'one point in time' design. This study reports on parental decision making at two points in time, Time 1 and Time 2, 14 years apart.methods: Forty-four of 57 families (77%) who had agreed to take part in a follow-up study were interviewed. An in-depth semistructured interview format was used. In addition, two questionnaires seeking mainly quantitative data were administered.results: Fifteen families (35%) had told their offspring of the donor insemination conception at Time 2 (2004). An additional seven families said they had always wanted or intended to tell the children and asked for assistance on how to do this. Where partners were in agreement on information sharing at Time 1 (1990)-either to tell or not to tell-this position was maintained. Where there was disagreement, or uncertainty, two-thirds had not told and one-third had.conclusions: Despite the professional and socio-political culture at the time of treatment, almost half of the families in this study ended up sharing the donor insemination conception with their offspring. The results support the need for appropriate preparation for donor insemination family building.

Socioemotional Development in Changing Families

“…It has often been suggested that the creation of families using donated sperm, eggs, or embryos may have negative consequences for parenting and children's psychological adjustment, due to either the absence of a genetic link between one or both parents and the children, or to secrecy about the children's genetic origins (Daniels, Gillett, & Grace, 2009;McGee, Brakman, & Gurmankin, 2001).…”

“…There has been a rise in the number of parents who intend to tell their children about their donor conception (Daniels et al, 2009;Hahn & Craft-Rosenberg, 2002). Nevertheless, in spite of their intentions, many parents do not actually disclose this information.…”

Anonimato e segredo na reprodução humana com participação de doador: mudanças em perspectivas

“…Daniels (et al, 2009), em estudo de acompanhamento realizado em duas fases (com 14 anos de diferença entre uma e outra) com 57 famílias da Nova Zelândia, revelou que 41% deles na Fase 1 concordavam em falar sobre a concepção com a criança e 59% pretendiam não falar; na fase 2 houve pouca mudança nessas posições com um acréscimo de 53% entre aqueles que haviam falado. Algumas famílias mencionaram que sempre tiveram a intenção de falar e pretendiam buscar assistência para saber como fazê-lo.…”

Técnicas de reproducción humana asistida heterólogas: el derecho a conocer los orígenes. ¿Legislación versus subjetividad?

“…Vale la pena mencionar algunas de estas respuestas obtenidas en el estudio de la UBA: "es algo muy íntimo, va a depender de la relación de la pareja"; "la decisión queda en el marco estricto dela intimidad (entre la pareja)"; "cómo se llega al embarazo es un acto privado". Como resulta evidente, quienes esgrimen este argumento contemplan el dilema desde la perspectiva del proyecto parental, desconociendo que diversos estudios (11)(12)(13)(14) sostienen que el secreto en cuanto al método o modo de concepción puede dañar las relaciones familiares, con el consecuente impacto negativo en el desarrollo psicológico del niño.…”