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This article considers the disclosure, sharing and exchange of information on being donor conceived within families, drawing on data from a study undertaken with donor-conceived adults registered with UK Donor Link (a voluntary DNA-linking register). This paper considers the narratives of how respondents found out they were donor-conceived and what events triggered disclosure of this information. This paper then goes on to examine the role secrecy played in their family life and uses the concept of 'display' to explore how secrecy affected their relationships with their immediate and extended family. Secrets are notoriously 'leaky' and we found complex patterns of knowing and uncertainty about whom in the family knew that the person was donor-conceived. We argue that what is kept secret and from whom provides insights into the multifaceted web of social relationships that can be created by donor-conception, and how knowledge can be managed and controlled in attempts to display and maintain family narratives of biogenetic connection., (© 2017 Foundation for the Sociology of Health & Illness.)

Objective: To gather respondent feedback about whether workshops for heterosexual couples, lesbian couples and single women considering donor conception treatment (i) aided decision-making and (ii) improved intentions and confidence about openness with offspring. Background: Research indicates donor offspring consider that risk to their well-being is heightened if not made aware of their origins from infancy. However, some parents do not disclose this information, especially heterosexual couples. Preparation for Parenthood workshops were run by Donor Conception Network, a UK support group, using parent facilitators. Methods: A survey was sent simultaneously to those who attended 16 workshops over two years (2008–2010) (n = 246), with each partner in couples invited to respond separately. Results were considered descriptively as follows: all respondents; those in heterosexual and lesbian couples by intended donation type; single women. Open comments provided tentative understanding of quantitative results. Results: Response rate: 32.4% (n = 79); both partners responded in 86% couples. Workshops were rated as predominantly helpful by all groups for deciding whether to proceed. There were similar improvements in feeling comfortable with the idea of becoming donor conception parents, surety about openness with children and knowing when and how to start the process. Openness with social networks appeared more challenging to achieve. Levels of congruent couple responses increased post-workshop, starting from low levels on some aspects. Couples considering egg donation showed the widest variation in responses. Conclusions: Workshops appear helpful in aiding decision-making and in preparing for openness with any offspring across family types and whether considering sperm, egg or double donation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This short survey of UK infertility counsellors was designed to determine whether the removal of donor anonymity resulted in noticeable changes in prospective parents' stated intentions regarding disclosure of their origins to any children conceived through donor conception. Members of the British Infertility Counselling Association working in Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) - licensed centres, before and after the legal changes, were sent a short questionnaire that included space for free comments (take-up: 62%). Three-quarters reported changes. Of these, two-thirds said prospective parents were more likely to say they would disclose, while less than a tenth said prospective parents were less likely do so. Where no changes were noted, this was primarily because the majority of prospective parents had stated their intention to be open even prior to the legal changes. Possible influences on intentions included: the culture within the centre, moves towards openness within the wider society, and parents' lack of confidence regarding how to go about disclosure. Follow-up studies are needed to improve understanding of whether influences on decision making carry through to patterns of actual disclosure; whether involvement in counselling affects outcomes; and whether access to professional assistance at the time of planned disclosure is helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]