Projects

‘Donor conception: towards openness’

Archive materials

Non-identifying records of donor conceived and donors prior 1988 when anonymity of the donor was paramount.
Compiled by Roger Clarke, Curator

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About
Non-identifying records of donor conceived and donors prior 1988 when anonymity of the donor was paramount.

Compiled by Roger Clarke, Curator

Helping couples to have a baby from donor eggs or sperm was always a sensitive issue. Successes in assisted reproductive technology (ART) meant that more donors were always needed. Clinics ran discrete recruitment campaigns; the media published the occasional story. Protection of donor identity was paramount. Sperm and egg donors’ came forward under an umbrella of anonymity and few believed they would ever meet their offspring.

Breaking down the barriers of anonymity happened slowly. Children born as a result of assisted reproductive technology (ART) are curious about their beginnings. Donors discovered information about their offspring. Donor conceived children and parents gained access to their donors’ identities. Contacts were made and relationships formed. Society accepts that children have a right to know about their biology. An era of openness begins.

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Seeking information

Donor information made available to help shape the identity of the donor conceived person.

TEST
Donor information enquiry
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First contact

A donor writes to his offspring after an application for identifying information. He believed a handwritten letter was more meaningful.

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Patient history files

Consent of husband and wife to artificial insemination 1983.

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Cool to catch up

“Cool to catch up.” A donor conceived person applies to meet his donor. 2008

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Donor information archives 1988

Donor recipient information

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Request for information
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Letter to my unknown grandchild

Helping couples to have a baby from donor eggs or sperm was always a sensitive issue. Successes in assisted reproductive technology (ART) meant that more donors were always needed. Clinics ran discrete recruitment campaigns; the media published the occasional story. Protection of donor identity was paramount. Sperm and egg donors’ came forward under an umbrella of anonymity and few believed they would ever meet their offspring.

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Egg donation

Egg donor medical files

Exhibitions section

Foreword

Seeking Identity

Making connections

The gift of life

Donor families

Children’s corner

Archive materials

See more Exhibitions

‘Donor conception: towards openness’

This ground-breaking exhibition explores the human story of donor conception and is dedicated to the memory of Narelle Grech, a donor-conceived woman, who fought courageously for the right to learn the truth of her genetic heritage. The original exhibition was exhibited in the Melbourne City Library, June 2015.

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