Should sperm donors remain anonymous?

Sperm donors' identities are protected by legislation. Should they be? (iStock)Sperm donors in B.C. are back under the microscope as the B.C. Court of Appeal considers whether they should be allowed to remain anonymous.

Provincial laws currently protect the identities of sperm donors. But in May, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled that protecting donors' anonymity violates the rights of the children born by artificial insemination.

The case stems from a request by Olivia Pratten, 29, to learn more about the identity of her biological father.

She was told only that her father was a stocky, Caucasian medical student with blue eyes, brown hair, and type-A blood - and that the sperm donor records had been legally destroyed.

Patten has said she's disappointed the province is appealing the decision, but expects the issue will ultimately land before the Supreme Court of Canada.

"Bureaucracy doesn't like to move fast. This is a delaying tactic," she said.

Should a sperm donor's identity be protected, do you think? Why or why not? What benefits do you see in revealing their identities? Share your thoughts in the field below.


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