The right to privacy and access to information about one's genetic origins

The right to privacy contains different dimensions. Best known are the possibility to restrict the flow of personal information to others (limited access by others) and the right not to know certain information gathered about oneself. Since the privacy right is meant to protect the identity, self-image and personal life of the person, he should also have the right to know certain facts about himself. Information about genetic origins is potentially important for the child conceived by means of donor insemination because it tells him something about himself and about the relationships he has with others. However, the positive privacy right of the donor offspring may be overridden by the negative privacy right of the parents in which case they may keep the method of conception a secret and by the negative privacy of the donor which gives him the right to remain anonymous.