A study of parenting of IVF and DI children

This article describes a study which provides data about the long-term issues experienced by parents rearing children from in vitro fertilization and donor insemination programmes. Fifty-four families bringing up a total of 101 children, 74 of whom were the result of assisted conception interventions, were interviewed. The methodology was such as to secure a representative cross-section of participants. The findings presented in this article relevant to medicine and law relate to: (1) The consequences where 50% of the genetic history of a child created by the use of donated gametes is unknown to the parents and the child. (2) The impact of male infertility, as a largely taboo subject, on family relationships, and the consequent deception of the child. (3) The dilemmas of maintaining a secret for a lifetime from much loved children, all relatives and friends.