Sperm Donor Conceived Child Files Lawsuit
For the first time in Vancouver, a class action suit was brought to attempt to change the laws regarding sperm donor’s anonymity last week. The plaintiff is Olivia Pratten, the daughter of an anonymous sperm donor who is attempting to get information about her biological father before the medical records are destroyed.
Currently, the laws in Canada are that gamete donor’s medical files can be destroyed after six years; however, Pratten in her suit is attempting to overturn this law so that she may learn pertinent medical information. Additionally, Pratten is arguing that this law violates the rights of those conceived using gamete donation.
On Tuesday, a British Columbia judge issued an injunction to stop the destruction of any medical records related to artificial insemination. This is of course being appealed as we speak. However, if this decision is to be upheld what would that mean for the donor’s anonymity? Could Canada eventually become like the UK where donors are not anonymous? Also if that were to happen, would there be a decrease in those willing to donate their gametes?
