Gamete Donation: Are Children Entitled to Know Their Genetic Origins? A Comparison of Opposing Views. The Italian State of Affairs

Abstract

Abstract Medically assisted fertilization techniques give rise to a wide array of issues, such as the rights to secrecy, partial anonymity or to the full disclosure of information about the donors’ identities. The authors espouse the right of donor-conceived children to know their biological origins, and delve into opposing views, either in favour of the gamete donors’ right to anonymity or against it. Be that as it may, the right to know one’s biological origins has been gaining a foothold as part of the broader right to personal identity. The latter is in fact codified and upheld in numerous international treaties and conventions as a fundamental human right. The authors expound upon the Italian legislation, which is designed to enforce total donor anonymity. Against that backdrop, the authors weigh the suitability of further regulating access to sensitive, identifying information about the procreation methods involved in each case.