Donor anonymity in assisted reproduction in the light of the child's right to know their origin

Abstract

This study examines the legal, ethical, and psychological dimensions of donor anonymity in assisted reproduction from the perspective of international law and children's rights. Drawing on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, it analyzes the evolving recognition of the child’s right to know their biological origins as an essential component of identity and human dignity. Through a comparative overview of legislative developments in various countries, the study highlights a global trend toward ending absolute donor anonymity and introducing identifiable donation systems. It argues that while the rights of donors and social parents must be respected, the best interests of the child should prevail in cases of conflicting interests. The paper also explores ethical dilemmas, the risk of genealogical bewilderment, and the practical unsustainability of anonymity in the era of genetic databases. The analysis ultimately supports legislative frameworks that seek to sensitively balance the rights of all parties while placing transparency, identity, and the well-being of the child at the centre of regulation.