I'm only really posting this because it interested me from a personal perspective. Having grown up not knowing who my biological dad is (and having absolutely no interest in finding out who is is lol) I can still understand why kids born from donors want to find out where they come from. But on the other side of the coin, I can see how with donors now not being allowed anonymity are being put off from donating sperm. I'm sure there are a lot of men out there who would be happy to donate their sperm but have no interest in being a father so the idea of a child 18 years in the future coming searching for them could be rather offputting.

Its sad really, especially as I know there are a whole lot of wankers in the world...ok most of them are in politics but what the hell

I was sooo tempted to respond similarly, but you know me, tact, decorum and class... for example, an obvious editorial opportunity was missed for an eye-catching headline; "Sperm is running out! says government"

The anonymity question is interesting. So let's toy with the idea. Someone grows up, finds their daddy was a donor, and wants to meet him. Oooo...kay.... ummm ... why?

"Hi dad, I need to know you love me." "Yeah, sure, that's why I did my thing in a test tube and walked away with my $10 (or whatever)."

"Hi dad, mum says you owe her 18 years of back-maintenance for me."

"Hi dad, I'm traumatised about the cold impersonal way you treated me, here's a letter of demand from my lawyer."

Forgive my apparent frivolity, but in a world where so many things lead to litigation, one-sided legislation, or therapy as solutions to real and imagined problems ...

Probabably the least damaging thing would be, "Dad, how could you just treat your fist like a sex-object and walk away when you've had your fun, without any sense of respect or obligation?"

The cynic in me would be swayed by your perceptions on this normally, but not today

Before I became a parent myself, I didn't give my own parentage a second thought, but after having kids - while I have no interest in tracking down my father - for health reasons alone I would be curious... When you go into hospital and they give you a list of questions about the health history of your family, you can't answer it fully as you don't know one entire side of your makeup. So, from this position, I can fully understand why a child of a donor could want to seek out their biological father.

That's what I was thinking, if only for medical reasons. Or perhaps just out of interest in where your genes came from, not necessarily after bonding or answers.

Do not disturb: already disturbed.

I have a friend who was a donor. He claimed it was something to do with perpetuating his genes, and yet a lack of desire for the obligations of parenthood. My mind finished twitching at the logic, but I can't help thinking he would not really be too interested in meeting the descendants. Thus I suspect he would reject having to register.

I still seriously forsee litigation somewhere in the future ... people being what they are. Maybe it's in their genes.

Sounds like the ultimate cuckoo bird scheme to me.

Do not disturb: already disturbed.