No more anonymous sperm donors in BC

Anonymous sperm donation means that the donor's identity is not known, and the donor child has no way of finding out who their biological father is. Or does it? One donor-conceived adult, Olivia Pratten from British Columbia, Canada, went to court to demand the right to know who her donor was. Pratten's legal team argued that current regulations discriminated against donor offspring who, unlike adopted children, are not allowed to gain access to information about their biological heritage.

They were successful, and sperm donor anonymity was overturned by the court in BC. Justice Elaine Adair ruled that the rights of donor offspring should be protected like those of adopted children, and that current rules were in fact unconstitutional. The ruling allows British Columbia 15 months before they commence implementing the changes to the BC Adoption Act. Here is what the judge concluded:

I conclude, based on the whole of the evidence, that assisted reproduction using an anonymous gamete donor is harmful to the child, and it is not in the best interests of donor offspring. I grant a permanent injunction, in accordance with these reasons, prohibiting the destruction, disposal, redaction or transfer out of BC of gamete donor records in British Columbia.

What happened to Olivia Pratten, the 28 year old donor-conceived journalist, after this ruling? Doctors had already destroyed information pertaining to her sperm donor, but she was happy that this opportunity could be provided to other donor offspring. She said: "It is a total win for us. No more anonymity. Donor offspring have been recognized as having the same rights as adoptees in BC." The whole sperm donor kids issue is sure complicated. What do you think about the ruling in BC? Have you used a sperm donor to conceive a child, or are you donor offspring? Please share your views!