The age limits at which donor children can receive information about their biological parents are arbitrary, say researchers from the University of Humanistics, research agency Pro Facto and the Fiom foundation. They advise Minister of Health Ernst Kuipers (D66) to give donor children access to information about their donor parent at “any time”. In a letter to the House of Representatives Kuipers writes on Wednesday that he will decide before the summer whether he will go along with the advice.
At the moment, donor children from the age of 12 can request information about characteristics of their biological parent, such as hair color and occupation. From the age of sixteen it is possible to find out the identity of the donor. The law was introduced in 2004, according to the government, among other things to protect the privacy of donors. But “knowing who you are descended from is a children’s and human right,” say the researchers. According to them, it has not been properly explained why that right has been restricted by law. Not getting information until the donor information can cause feelings of injustice, they write. Donor children would also indicate that they lack part of their identity.
The researchers deliberately do not propose a different age limit. “Families themselves know best how and when it is appropriate to access information about the donor. It is not for the government to determine this.” However, they believe it is important that families with donor children receive proper information and support, in order to be able to tell their child about their biological parent in a good way.
The research was commissioned by ZonMw, the government organization that finances innovation and research in healthcare. The Ministry of Kuipers itself had asked for advice on the age limits.
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