Link for donors and children

Robbie's knowledge that half his genes come from a sperm donor goes back further than his memory.

"It was something I always knew," said the 19-year-old Canterbury University commerce student.

He can't remember the first time his parents told him.

"As the story goes there was some programme on adoption when I was four. I turned to Dad and said, "Are you my father," and he said, "Well actually no," and explained the whole thing and I was cool."

Last month a register was created that holds hope of linking up donors and offspring.

Robbie, who asked that his surname be withheld, said he intended to register, but it was a low priority. He does not know his donor's identity and is relaxed about that, something he attributes to always knowing a donor was involved.

Robbie spoke at a Christchurch fertility conference yesterday with four other people also conceived by donor insemination.

One of the organisers of their session, Associate Professor Ken Daniels, of Canterbury University's social work department, said two of them, aged 17 and 20, learned only months ago their births followed donor insemination.

"It has come as a major shock to them. It's been an emotional time. They are pleased they have been told but wished they had been told earlier."

It was ideal for children conceived by donor sperm, eggs or embryos to be told from an early age, he said. Keeping it secret only put extra stress on families.

Knowing about it was also becoming more important in relation to inherited diseases, he said.

Professor Daniels welcomed the register, but said it was largely just putting into law what most fertility clinics already practised. Their approach had made New Zealand a world leader, he said.

Making contact

* The Births, Deaths and Marriages service last month started a register that can link up sperm, egg and embryo donors with their offspring.

* From August 22, all donors and their offspring must be recorded on the register.

* Offspring aged over 18, or if younger then their guardian, will generally be able to find out who is the donor.

* Donors will be able to discover the identity of their offspring only if the offspring give written consent.

* Inclusion is voluntary for donors and offspring dating from before August 22 and they can restrict what is disclosed from the register.