Jigsaw now the ‘go-to’ for donor conceived families

The Keogh Institute was established in 1983 by the late Professor Ted Keogh. Professor Keogh established the first sperm donor service in Western Australia for families where the man’s sperm count was zero or too low for natural conception. The legislation surrounding the anonymity of sperm donors has changed over the years and the ability of donor conceived children to be able to find their biological father and/or half-sibs has also changed.

Now in WA, donor-conceived people (conceived on or after 1 December 2004) will be eligible for identifying information when they turn 16 years of age.

This year the Department of Health transferred the responsibility for assisting donor-conceived adults from the WA Reproductive Technology Council to Jigsaw, an organisation which has a long track record of supporting adopted children find their biological parents. Jigsaw coordinates with the Keogh Institute to deliver these support services for donor-conceived people.

Jigsaw DNA Connect, funded by the WA Health Department, has established a contact register for people involved in donor conception in Western Australia.  The Donor and Offspring Register is a means of letting people related through donor conception voluntarily load information about themselves and their wishes, and to share information with other people on the register when both parties agree.  No information is shared without your consent.  Registrations are only accepted from people who have been involved in donor conception through doctors or clinics, in Western Australia at any time.

If you are a previous sperm donor, a donor-conceived person, or a parent of a donor conceived child under the age of 18 and wish to join the Voluntary Register or wish further information contact Jigsaw on the link below

 

https://www.jigsawdna.org.au/