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Research Outputs
STUDY REPORT
To view our study report, click here, or scroll down for all other research outputs.
PUBLICATION IN HUMAN REPRODUCTION
In September 2024, the YAS team and project partner Dr Vasanti Jadva published an article, ''I have to remind myself that everyone search is different': Experiences of searching and not searching for donor connections among donor conceived adults', in Human Reproduction. This article is based on responses to our survey by donor conceived people aged between 18-70 years, of whom 39 (44%) were actively searching for genetic connections, 44 (50%) were open to contact but not actively searching, and 5 (6%) were not searching. The findings suggest that differences in behaviour relating to searching for donors and those conceived through the same donor cannot be explained by when or how individuals come to learn that they are donor conceived. The study found that experiences of finding/not finding genetic connections are complex, suggesting a need for support across the board. You can read the open access paper by following this link.
PUBLICATION IN BIONEWS
Dr Sophie Zadeh published a short commentary, 'Donor identifiability from birth: Findings of the Young Adults Study', in BioNews. This commentary provides a brief overview of our focus group findings on the subject of donor identifiability from birth. You can read the piece by following this link.
PUBLICATION IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
We published a short communication based on findings from our nationwide survey of donor conceived adults in Reproductive Biomedicine Online. The article focusses on recommendations for practice from donor conceived adults who are searching for and making genetic connections. You can read it by following this link.
RESPONSE TO THE HFEA CONSULTATION
We responded to the HFEA's consultation in April 2023 using data from our interviews with 33 young adults aged between 18-31. At that time, the HFEA were seeking views on donor information. They asked:
- Should clinics be required by law to inform donors and recipients of potential donor identification through DNA testing websites?
- Should the HFE Act be amended to provide parental and donor choice to opt for anonymity until age 18 or identifiable information after the birth of a child?
- Should the HFE Act require all donors and recipients to have implications counselling before treatment?
You can read our response by following this link.
PUBLICATION IN FERTILITY & STERILITY
In August 2024, project partner Dr Vasanti Jadva and the YAS team published an article, 'The Donor Conception Identity Questionnaire: Associations with mental health and searching for and finding donor connections', in Fertility & Sterility. Based on responses to our survey by donor conceived people aged between 18-70 years, the findings of this article evidence the varied implications of being donor conceived for identity and well-being. The study highlights the value of the Donor Conception Identity Questionnaire for academics and practitioners who are supporting donor conceived individuals. You can read the open access paper by following this link.
PRESENTATIONS AT THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR HUMAN REPRODUCTION AND EMBRYOLOGY ANNUAL CONFERENCE
In July 2024, the YAS team and one of our project partners, Dr Vasanti Jadva, presented posters at the Annual Meeting for the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Each poster presented findings from the WISE survey of donor conceived adults in the UK. You can view the posters by following this link.
PUBLICATION IN BIONEWS
Dr Kitty Jones published a short commentary, 'Exploring the experiences of individuals conceived by donor conception before 2005', in BioNews. This commentary provides a brief overview of the existing research on donor conceived adolescents and adults, and explains why we decided to do a nationwide survey of donor conceived adults. You can read the piece by following this link.
PRESENTATIONS
The findings from our project have also been presented at the following events and conferences:
Stories of donor conception in the UK. Evening Event, Faculty of Arts & Humanities, UCL, May 2022.
Donor conceived young adults. Thomas Coram Research Unit Lunchtime Seminar, Social Research Institute, UCL, May 2022.
Researching experiences of donor conceived children, young people and young adults. Donor Conception Network Annual Conference, April 2022.
Direct-to-consumer DNA testing and donor conception. Repro@UCL Seminar, UCL, December 2021.
PRESENTATIONS AT THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MEDICALLY ASSISTED REPRODUCTION
In September 2024, the YAS team presented findings from the Young Adults Study at the International Symposium on Medically Assisted Reproduction, a three-day symposium in Milan, Italy, attended by expert social scientists in the field.
PUBLICATION IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
In March 2024, Dr Sophie Zadeh published an article, 'Direct-to-consumer DNA testing: the perspectives and experiences of donor conceived young adults in the UK', in Reproductive BioMedicine Online. This article describes findings from in-depth interviews with 33 donor conceived adults aged 18-31. The study found both active interest and disinterest in direct-to-consumer DNA testing among this age group, with almost equal numbers of participants having taken (58%) and not taken (46%) a test. The findings highlight an absence of guidance and support around DNA testing for donor conceived people. You can read the open access paper by following this link.
DONOR CONCEPTION NETWORK RESEARCH DATABASE
The YAS team worked in collaboration with Donor Conception Network to create a public database of research in the field as part of the Young Adults Study. The database aims to summarise the social scientific research on donor conception published since the year 2000. The criteria for research to be included in the database were: (i) study must be based in the UK; or (ii) study must be based (in whole or in part) on UK participants; or (iii) study must be about an under-researched topic. The database can be accessed by following this link.
PUBLICATION IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
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