South Australia creates register to help donor-conceived children find biological parents

South Australia has introduced a new online register that will help children conceived through donated sperm, eggs or embryos to identify their biological parents – the first time such a system has been implemented in Australia. 

It comes after decades of struggle for people like Damian Adams, who was conceived via sperm donation and spent years conducting DNA research to find his biological father.

It wasn't until 2019 that they met for the first time.

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"It was like I was looking in the mirror at myself in 30 years' time," Adams said.

The new laws will allow donor-conceived individuals to access vital information about their genetic heritage, including the names and dates of birth of their donors. 

This includes donors who made contributions prior to September 2004, when they were promised lifelong anonymity.

Those people will be offered counselling, and will be under no obligation to meet their biological children.

"There will certainly be some who will not be interested in doing that and that will be their right to have," Health Minister Chris Picton said.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.