P–488 Patients’ attitudes towards the anonymity of gamete donation in Spain

Abstract

Study question To what extent do infertility patients in Spain support different forms of anonymity for oocyte and sperm donation? Summary answer Most patients who undergo treatment with donated gametes in Spain consider that their children should not know the identity of the donors. What is known already Spain has a large tradition of gamete donation, probably influenced by its law that requires gamete donation to be anonymous for the donor and the recipient. Although there is a growing support for openness and identity-release in gamete donation, Spanish Society of Fertility has generated an Anonymity in Donations Framework Document which recommends revelation to the donor-conceived children their biological origin preserving the identity. However, there is no information on what the preferences of the patients are regarding the disclosure of the origins to their children. Study design, size, duration A prospective, cross-sectional multicenter study that includes all eleven clinics in Spain and involves women who had used donated gametes. From September to October 2020, a self-administered questionnaire was sent out to a total of 57 women which were asked to indicate their responses on a 7-point Likert. 57 (100%) women anonymously completed the questionnaire. Participants/materials, setting, methods The participants were asking for their socio-demographic characteristics, their opinions concerning secrecy or disclosure of the method of conception towards the child, what type of information should the child have access to – identifying or non-identifying – and whether they intend to inform their child and relatives about his/her origin. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi square test for dichotomous variables and one-sample T-Student for Likert items. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Main results and the role of chance Unlike homosexual or single women, 60% of heterosexual couples refuse to inform their offspring about the origin of their gametes and 47,5% would not tell anyone. Patients do not want to know the identity of donors (0,276 p˂0,001) and they consider that knowledge about the origin of the gametes (0,278 p˂0,001) or the identity of the donor (0,178 p˂0,001) is not important to a child. Patients do not believe that the donor has the right to know the identity of the offspring (0.098 p < 0.001) but they agree with his/her right to anonymity (0.679). Limitations, reasons for caution While the multicenter study design and the extraction of a complete time series from the population under study strengthens validity, the study is limited to women, without being able to extrapolate the results to men or children born by gamete donation, which constitutes a limitation. Wider implications of the findings: The findings of this study can be used as a basis for further discussion between regulators and professionals with respect to anonymity related to donor conception. These opinions should be considered carefully in legal and ethical discussions on gamete donation. Trial registration number Not applicable