Should offspring from donated gametes continue to be denied knowledge of their origins and antecedents?

This paper presents the case for a change from the current practice of anon ymity and secrecy in the use of donated gametes in medically assisted conce ption. It does so by describing history of the practice, various committees of enquiry over the years, their recommendations for consideration of the children created and the need for follow-up of the outcome; presenting the evidence from outcome studies both about child development and family relat ionships where secrecy is maintained about the child's origin and those whe re the practice is openly to acknowledge their origins, This is followed by an analysis of the experience and views of these children once they are ad ults. In discussion of the composite findings recurring themes emerge, From this it is concluded that offspring from donated gametes should not contin ue to be denied knowledge of their origins and antecedents. In the public d ebate, four schools of thought are identified. Possible practical scenarios to implement change are discussed. This paper argues that the fundamental issue regarding any of these remains-that priority in decision-making shoul d be the lifelong well-being of the children being created.