Donor “Anonymity” and Confidentiality in the Era of Direct-To-Consumer DNA Testing and Social Media

Kim O'DeaFertility News

Recently the Fertility Society of Australia was asked by the Reproductive Technology Unit (Western Australia Department of Health) if RTAC was intending to issue advice to clinics on direct to consumer genetic testing.  In Australia, any person born as a result of the use of donated gametes may, upon reaching the age of 18 (or younger in some states), obtain identifying information about the gamete donor. However, anonymous gamete donation is still practiced across the globe and the rise of direct-to-consumer genetic testing, puts at risk the presumed anonymity of gamete donors in this context.

This topic will be addressed in the coming days by the New England Fertility Society in their webinar.