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hgroundstroem.bsky.social @hgroundstroem.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

It is good to emphasize the child's right to know and that it's always better if the parents (preferably both) are the ones who disclose the donor-conception. And that it is never too late! But parents need to be prepared that their child can have negative feelings they did not tell earlier #ESHREjc

Claudia Lampic @claudialampic.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

I agree. And, importantly, longitudinal studies of donor-conceived families also provide access to DCPs that are not self-selected through their interest in (their) donor conception. #ESHREjc

hgroundstroem.bsky.social @hgroundstroem.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

That is most likely true. Many studies show DCPs take their parents feelings into consideration regarding exploring donor-info. But for some it could be that good family relationships make the donor less interesting, i.e. they have their family and maybe are not that interested in genetics. #ESHREjc

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Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

hgroundstroem.bsky.social @hgroundstroem.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

This is a very important point: We asked teenage DCPs about their interest in requesting donor-info. DCP interest will probably vary during life and can both increase/decrease as they grow older and maybe feel more confident in what they want to do regarding donor-info/contacting the donor. #ESHREjc

Claudia Lampic @claudialampic.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

I totally agree, the adolescents' views may change in the years to come, and we hope to receive funding to conduct an additional follow-up. As mentioned before, some of these adolescents (from OD-families) have been followed-up with individual interviews and analysis is ongoing. #ESHREjc

Claudia Lampic @claudialampic.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

This is an important point! Whenever I'm interviewed about disclosure and the benefits of early disclosure, I try to also mention all those parents who really intended to disclose, but never found "the right time". As Henrik said - it's never too late, but may need some preparation. #ESHREjc

Sara Ribeiro @ribeirosara.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

📌 Here are the summary slides from our September #ESHREjc discussion so far! A few key points and perspectives that have emerged from the discussion👇

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Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

hgroundstroem.bsky.social @hgroundstroem.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I absolutely agree, best to start the disclosure process very early. But I would also like to add that it is never too late for parents that for some reason haven't disclosed to the child. It is always better if the information comes from the parents rather than by accident (ex. DNA test) #ESHREjc

giuliana-baccino.bsky.social @giuliana-baccino.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Absolutely, in my opinion an European level is needed. #ESHREjc

marianavmartins.bsky.social @marianavmartins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Absolutely! A DCP’s access to origins may depend less on their own circumstances than on where treatment occurred, where records are held and which law applied at the time. A right that effectively disappears when conception crosses a border is not a robust right. #ESHREjc

Noemi Salmeri, MD @noemisalmeri.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

For those who are curious: MYGENESIS-PATH is a digital psychological support tool tailored specifically to the experiences, identity, and needs of donor-conceived individuals. #ESHREjc

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Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Noemi Salmeri, MD @noemisalmeri.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Need for greater consistency across Europe. Identity-release and cross-border registries only work if donor conception is accurately recorded and information remains accessible over time. How do we ensure that no donor-conceived person falls through the gaps? #ESHREjc

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marianavmartins.bsky.social @marianavmartins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

family structure may be the wrong comparison - no significant differences were found. Instead of “Which structure produces more curiosity?” key question might be “Which family environments allow curiosity to be expressed without being interpreted as rejection, disloyalty or a threat to parenthood?”

Noemi Salmeri, MD @noemisalmeri.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Yes indeed this a crucial question. If knowledge of one’s donor-conceived status depends entirely on parental disclosure, access to information about one’s own origins becomes contingent on someone else’s decision. Is that compatible with the child’s right to know their origins? #ESHREjc

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aindekeu.bsky.social @aindekeu.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

There is a worldwide lack of post-conception psychosocial support for parents, donors and DCP ( see Paper Goedeke, Crawshaw, Indekeu) disclosure is not just about 'giving info' but much more about emotions ( insecurity, nervous,...) #ESHREjc

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marianavmartins.bsky.social @marianavmartins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Important reminder: right to know is not an automatic right to contact. Access should be followed by a secure, reciprocal opt-in system for exchanging information or initiating contact. One person’s right to know must coexist with another person’s privacy and readiness… #ESHREjc

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marianavmartins.bsky.social @marianavmartins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Current systems often treat the donor as the only genetically relevant person outside the recipient family. Yet same-donor donor siblings are not a secondary by-product. A rights framework should make room for these relationships without legal impositions. #ESHREjc

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marianavmartins.bsky.social @marianavmartins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The more provocative question may be: should knowledge of one’s donor-conceived status depend entirely on whether and when parents decide to disclose it? #ESHREjc

marianavmartins.bsky.social @marianavmartins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

This is precisely what the MyGENESIS project is addressing. We are testing MyGENESIS-PATH, a digital tool co-designed with DCP and professionals to help donor-conceived adults explore identity, origins, relationships and coping after discovery. #ESHREjc

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Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

marianavmartins.bsky.social @marianavmartins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Yes! Discovery may reshape how DCP understand their origins, family and sense of self. It can bring clarity, validation, agency and belonging, but also disruption, grief, betrayal, uncertainty, loyalty conflicts and fears of rejection. Its impact depends on context and support. #ESHREjc

marianavmartins.bsky.social @marianavmartins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

And better family functioning was linked to greater uncertainty about seeking donor information. Rather than reducing its importance, close family relationships may create loyalty conflicts between curiosity about genetic origins and fears of hurting a parent. ? #ESHREjc

Mr.Att (Attilio Anastasi) @mr-att.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Right! Donor conception doesn’t stop at national borders. Different offspring limits and non-interoperable records can make national safeguards ineffective. #ESHREjc

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Fertility Europe @fertilityeurope.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The EU and Council of Europe should make identity-release the standard, create cross-border donor registries, set a European limit on families per donor, and guarantee access for every donor-conceived person, wherever they were conceived. #ESHREjc

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Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Fertility Europe @fertilityeurope.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

One donor's gametes can be used in several countries, each with its own offspring limit and no shared record. Donor-conceived people can end up with large, unknown groups of other DCPs from same donor spread across borders. So yes, Europe must act. #ESHREjc

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hgroundstroem.bsky.social @hgroundstroem.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

We believe that there is a need for more European and international regulation to safeguard the rights of DCPS and regarding the maximum number of offspring from one donor. Claudia & Henrik #ESHREjc

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hgroundstroem.bsky.social @hgroundstroem.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Our study did not show any differences regarding interest in donor-information between DCPs from lesbian-couple and heterosexual-couple families. Of note is that most DCPs had known from early age also inte heterosexual-couple families. #ESHREjc

Mr.Att (Attilio Anastasi) @mr-att.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Q4: What are the implications of cross-border reproduction for Donor-Conceived People (DCP) seeking access to information about their donor and people conceived from the same donor, given the differences between national legal frameworks? Should this be addressed at a European level? #ESHREjc

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Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

hgroundstroem.bsky.social @hgroundstroem.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

We believe it necessary for same-donor peers to have consented to being identifiable to other DCPs. In Sweden a DCP can choose to add their own name and contact-information in the donors medical record at the clinic if they are open to being identified by same-donor peers. Claudia & Henrik #ESHREjc

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hgroundstroem.bsky.social @hgroundstroem.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Studies show that many DCPs want access to information about their donor to better understand themselves (e.g. learning about shared traits, family history). However not all DCPs find this important. Claudia & Henrik #ESHREjc

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Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

giuliana-baccino.bsky.social @giuliana-baccino.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This is a great finding of the study, and following the finding I would say that better relationships bring stronger bonds, with not necessary need for requesting more information about the donors. #ESHREjc

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hgroundstroem.bsky.social @hgroundstroem.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In Sweden the right to donor-information (identity and non-id info) lies solely with the DCP and they can access it when they have reached 18 years. We can see the benefits of the DCP having access to non-identifiable information about their donor some years earlier. Claudia & Henrik #ESHREjc

Fertility Europe @fertilityeurope.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Both. Swedish donor-conceived teens want background details (78%), identity (61%) and to know if the donor is open to contact (52%). Needs differ. The law should offer every option and let the donor-conceived person decide what to access, and when. #ESHREjc

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giuliana-baccino.bsky.social @giuliana-baccino.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It is interesting that adolescents reporting better family functioning were more likely to be unsure about requesting donor information. Could a good relationship with parents reduce the need for donor info? Or might adolescents hesitate to ask in an attempt to “protect” their parents? #ESHREjc

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Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

In my opinion yes. Every information we may give to them, will be valuable for their present and future. #ESHREjc

giuliana-baccino.bsky.social @giuliana-baccino.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Frequency with children is crucial. They need to hear and see the same story many, many times to incorporate it. When we talk about their origins is the same. At first would be every week or 2, then every month, but never stop talking about it. #ESHREjc

Fertility Europe @fertilityeurope.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Lesbian and single-parent families often disclose DC earlier and normalise same-donor relationships, reducing the need to seek genetic information as a way of establishing identity. DCPs raised by heterosexual couples may experience later disclosure and more interest in donor information. #ESHREjc

giuliana-baccino.bsky.social @giuliana-baccino.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

I am not a legal expert, but in my experience as psychologist, children must have the right to know, to explore, to have the possibility to answer any question they may have about their origins. #ESHREjc

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Fertility Europe @fertilityeurope.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Motivations to request donor info in @hgroundstroem.bsky.social & @claudialampic.bsky.social study were mainly related to know about resemblance, heritage, medical history… May it be that knowing more about the donor or their background may help DCP make sense of their own story? #ESHREjc

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Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Access to donor information can support identity development by giving donor-conceived people a clearer account of their genetic origins, helping them integrate donor conception into their biography and understand ancestry and genetic relationships. #ESHREjc

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giuliana-baccino.bsky.social @giuliana-baccino.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I would suggest to practice the disclosure in some kind of role play between them, make sure they are comfortable with what they will say, and then do it as simple as possible, with a book, with pictures, and repeat that history with their children at least once a week or two. #ESHREjc

Fertility Europe @fertilityeurope.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Identity-release laws matter, but the starting point is with the parents. Research shows telling children early and age-appropriately is what supports wellbeing. What the right legal age to access donor identity is, we're still learning. #ESHREjc

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giuliana-baccino.bsky.social @giuliana-baccino.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Q2: How might access to donor information contribute to the identity development of donor-conceived people (DCP), and might this differ across family forms? #ESHREjc

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Reposted by Sara Ribeiro

Such an important and reassuring study for patients and their families. I would say that the message for them would be, when we talk about disclosure: better sooner than later #ESHREjc

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In the findings from @hgroundstroem.bsky.social @claudialampic.bsky.social the main motivations for seeking donor ℹ️ were resemblance (appearance & non-physical traits), heritage, & medical history. What do experts think should be available? Non-identifying info? Identifying info? What kind? #ESHREjc

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