The Genie is out of the bottle: DNA testing and the end of donor anonymity
DNA testing is on the rise
www.varta.org.au N=312
Ancestry DNA tests – how do they work? 3 main types 1. Y-DNA 2. mtDNA 3. Autosomal
www.varta.org.au Autosomal • ‘Microarray’ • Looks at up to 1M SNPs (polymorphisms) in the genome • Generates a unique ‘genetic fingerprint’ for each individual • This fingerprint can then be compared with other individuals in the company’s database
www.varta.org.au What can these data be used for? These data can: These data cannot: 1. identify people you 1. tell you exactly how are related to you are related (without help) 2. reveal ethnic origins 2. reliably detect distant 3. reveal risks of certain cousins (>3 rd cousins) diseases 3. identify rare gene mutations
www.varta.org.au Panel – Personal Experiences • Rose Overberg – donor- conceived person & DNA detective • Kieran – donor-conceived person • Hayley Smith - donor- conceived person • Professor Daniel Roos - donor
www.varta.org.au Implications for donor-conceived people • DNA testing to find their donor is only necessary in Victoria if there are no records • it can now be possible to work out your donor • Enlist the support of a DNA detective • VARTA can support you with outreach • DNA testing can also be used to confirm the donor for VARTA applicants/subjects
Implications for Parents • People considering using a donor, donor recipient parents need to be informed of the risks of keeping donor conception a secret • Secrecy is no longer a viable option • Should parents tell their child of their origins? >becomes Should children tell their parents they know of their origins (Crawshaw 2017)
Implications for donors • Donors need to be aware that their anonymity cannot be assured • Donors may be contacted directly by donor offspring or parents • Donors can still be found even if they haven’t had a DNA test themselves
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