This information will also be made available to the parents of donor-conceived children under 18 years of age while donors would have access to information about children born as a result of their donation, where consent has been provided.
The new legislation will also allow the use of a deceased woman’s eggs or embryos in circumstances where the woman provides consent prior to her death, which is currently allowed for male sperm.
The South Australian Donor Conception Register was established in November 2021, with an electronic register made available to store available and verifiable donor conception information relating to donors, donor-conceived people, and recipient parents.
It is proposed the register will allow donors, donor-conceived people aged 18 years and over, or parents to a donor-conceived child to list their contact preferences and will support important medical and genetic information to be shared between relatives.
The proposed changes will also require birth certificates going forward to state that a child is donor-conceived and provide the option of including further donor information.
To support those involved in donations made under the condition of anonymity before September 2004, a government-funded intermediary support and counselling service will be available to these donors and their families as well as those immediately affected.
Quotes
Attributable to Chris Picton
We recognise how important it is for all donor-conceived people to have access to information about their genetic heritage.
It not only plays a significant role in the development of a person’s identity and self-esteem, but it also enables them to access important medical and genetic information for things like family planning.
The operation of this register will provide a regulated and supported space for connections to be made and will put us in line with other states including New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria.
Attributable to Department for Health and Wellbeing Deputy Chief Executive of Strategy and Governance, Sinead O’Brien
We have undertaken extensive consultation with the donor conception community and the state’s fertility clinics, as well as stakeholders across Australia, to help us develop principles that provide a safe and respectful way for people to access this information.
These amendments reflect changing community views and the move away from a culture of secrecy around donor conception.
We hope the full establishment of the register will help to further embed donor conception in our community and encourage more openness and acceptance.
Attributable to Donor Conceived Australia National Director, Aimee Shackleton
The establishment of this register is essential for donor conceived people in South Australia to ensure they have a legislative right to access this information, regardless of when they were conceived.
The introduction of these laws follows many years of advocacy by members of the donor conception community.
These changes will make a significant difference to the lives of South Australian donor conceived people.
Allowing donor conceived people access to their information will allow them to manage their physical and mental health more effectively, including risks of genetic illnesses between siblings and family.
