HOW EXPERIENCE FRAMES DONOR-CONCEIVED PEOPLES’ FEELINGS ABOUT UTILIZING DONOR-ASSISTED REPRODUCTION THEMSELVES: INSIGHTS FROM INDIVIDUALS CONCEIVED VIA DONOR-ASSISTED REPRODUCTION

Abstract

To determine if donor-conceived people (DCP) would consider utilizing donor gametes themselves if unable to conceive spontaneously and whether having had a positive experience as a DCP affected this decision. A cross-sectional survey of adult DCP was disseminated to registered users of the Donor Sibling Registry (DSR). The survey consisted of 31 items including whether experience as DCP was positive or negative and the willingness to use donor gametes if spontaneous conception was not an option. Appropriate bivariate statistics were used to compare those with a positive/neutral vs. negative DCP experience. 529 people (81.7% female) completed the survey. Median age was 28 years (range 18-77 years) and 94.7% were conceived via donor sperm. Most self-identified as Caucasian (96.6%) and had at least a college degree (69.3%). The majority reported that overall, they feel neutral/positive about being donor-conceived (78.6%). Willingness to utilize donor gametes if unable to conceive spontaneously was low (31.9%) and few had considered or used donor gametes in the past (12.1%) (Table 1). However, DCP who rated their overall experience as neutral/positive were significantly more likely to be willing to use donors themselves if needed (39.8% vs. 4.8%, p<0.001). Regardless of past experience, preference for status of a potential donor is open identity (81.9% and 77.8%, p=0.76) and from a donor bank (70.7% and 50.0%, p=0.31). Additionally, most DCP, in both groups would consider adoption if unable to spontaneously conceive (73.3% and 67.3%, p=0.2) but those with a negative experience were less likely to consider this option (7.2% vs. 15.0%, p=0.009). The majority of DCP are willing to adopt but would not consider using donated gametes themselves if unable to conceive spontaneously; however, those with an overall positive experience as a DCP are significantly more likely to consider the utilization.