Statement on recent High Court ruling
01 February 2013
A High Court Judge has recently ruled that two sperm donors can apply for contact with the children born from their donation to two same sex couples in a civil partnership. The men knew the couples receiving their donated sperm and had contact with the children from an early age.
This raises the question of whether, following donor conception treatment, a known donor can seek access to a child that he is biologically related to, even if he is not the legal father.
The case has not yet been heard so we do not know whether access will be granted. The judge has made it clear that the case is being considered on the basis of these particular circumstances. However, if contact is granted this may raise concerns for families who have had donor conception treatment using a donor known to them – whether through a private arrangement or through a licensed clinic.
We will watch closely to see how the case is resolved.
Notes to editors
- The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) is the independent regulator for IVF treatment and embryo research. Our role is to protect patients and the public interest, to drive improvement in the treatment and research sectors and to provide information to the public and policymakers about treatment and research.
- The HFEA was set up in August 1991 as part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA’s principal tasks are to license and monitor clinics that carry out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), artificial insemination (AI) and human embryo research. The HFEA also regulates the storage of gametes (eggs and sperm) and embryos.
Page last updated: 01 February 2013