Being an Identifiable Egg Donor: What You Need to Know

Does the thought of being a traceable egg donor put you off donating eggs? Egg donor - and sperm and embryo donor - anonymity was removed over 10 years ago.

Since then, all egg donors have had to agree to be identifiable to any child born using their eggs – and it’s been hugely positive for egg donors, people who need donor eggs and the children they have.

Why removing donor anonymity was a good thing

Imagine having no details at all about half of your genetic history. You’d never know any information about your biological and medical background, or who helped you to be born.

The implications of this affect many donor-conceived people - various surveys of donor-conceived adults over the years have shown that it means a great deal to understand where they came from.

And so the law was changed in 2005, to give anyone donor-conceived from 1 April in the UK the right to information about their genetic origins if they wish to know, when they turn 18 years of age.

Removing donor anonymity was also great news for women who need donor eggs. Whilst anonymity remains intact between donor and recipient, women can have donor eggs IVF treatment in the UK with the reassurance that their child can access details about their genetic background in future.

Being an identifiable egg donor also means you may get the opportunity in future to learn about the children you’ve helped to be born – which many egg donors have expressed a desire to do, and which the HFEA recognised when changing the law.

Counselling

When you donate eggs to us, we ensure that you fully understand the implications of being an identifiable egg donor for you personally, so you can proceed with confidence in your decision to donate.

Our counsellors will discuss all the aspects of egg donation with you, including how you may feel in future if a donor-conceived person does want to know about you. Information about you as the egg donor isn’t given automatically in future – the donor-conceived person has to apply to UK fertility regulator the HFEA - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority - for any details.

We’ll also explain your rights as a HFEA-registered egg donor, including the fact that you have no financial, moral or legal responsibility to any child you help to create.

Egg donation – the most generous gift

Removing anonymity didn’t affect the number of women applying to be egg donors at Manchester Donors. We ensured we were fully prepared for the law change and all that it entailed, so our egg donors were always informed and happy to proceed.

There’s no greater gift to give than the hope of a baby, and even more so when you’re also considering that child’s welfare in future and their right to learn about their genetic heritage.

If you have any questions about anonymity, egg donation and egg donor counselling, speak to our friendly team on 0161 300 2734. If you’d like to apply to be an egg donor in Manchester or Cheshire with our award-winning donor egg bank, complete our simple online application form. It only takes a few minutes.

Or come and have a chat to us at next month’s Fertility Show in Manchester (25-26 March). You can book your tickets here – we look forward to meeting you.