Next week on SBS' INSIGHT they are discussing donor conception:

“MAKING BABIES” will be broadcast on TUESDAY MAY 30th at 7.30pm on SBS. Repeated on Friday at 1pm and Monday at 2pm.

EXERPT:
"At a time when infertility in Australia is on the rise, donor conception is increasingly becoming an option for prospective parents. But sperm donors are concerned about possible legal complications, and egg donations and surrogacy are rapidly becoming expensive commodities, with an international market now operating. Can we regulate the business of baby making when it’s happening elsewhere?

Coming soon to INSIGHT we bring together donors, donor conceived children, parents, and fertility experts to discuss the increasingly complicated ways families are being formed. "

Tracy

thanks, I think I will be watching.
sarah x

Me too! If anyone remembers, can they please remind here (I always forget to watch TV programmes )

My ED is actually coming over from NZ for the day on Tuesday so pity she won't be around to watch it (flys out at 7.30pm). I'll have to tape it to her and send it to her to watch (wonder if they get 'Insight' in New Zealand).

Thanks for the 'heads up'....CeeBee

Thanks for this Tracy !

I had a look at the website there is a bit more information on it and they are also doing a poll.
"Should donors be able to contact the child they helped conceive?"

I think they would be announcing the final results on the night.

http://news.sbs.com.au/insight/

Did anyone else watch?

I can't say it revealed any startling new revelations, but re-inforced for me that our decision to use a known donor is the best one for our future (hopefully) children. I feel very comfortable with the decision we have made.

I think we have already touched on the 'giving away a baby' idea in here, and I know I have my view on that also.

It is always interesting to hear the views of donor offspring though, that is what I found most useful.

So, any other thoughts??

For those who missed it ...

"“MAKING BABIES” will be broadcast on TUESDAY MAY 30th at 7.30pm on SBS. Repeated on Friday at 1pm and Monday at 2pm."

HTH.

Cheers,
Helen.

I thought it was interesting. For me it was also great to hear the comments of donor offspring and I am also very happy that we have a known donor. We will definitely be telling our kids from the start. I think its great that there is starting to be more public awareness on this issue. I would hate our kids to grow up with any kind of stigma. There are still a lot of misconceptions (pardon the pun) on the issue. I had a look at the forum on SBS website after the program and ther were some really negative misinformed comments on there. Most were about the rights of the children to know their heritage, assuming that all donations are anonymous and secret. If known donors and openness are encouraged then this wont be an issue. Other negative comments were about the selfishness of parents wanting to have kids no matter what. I believe all parents choose to have kids for what can be deemed as "selfish" reasons. Donor recipient parents are no different. I dont believe anyone should judge us unless they are faced with the same dilemma. We didn’t choose to be infertile. So many children are naturally concieved accidentally without a thought. We have mostly had to ponder the conception of our children at length and make very weighty, well informed decisions.

I totally agree Tracy.

I was interested to hear from the donor-conceived children and their thoughts on known-donation. One of them said that it would have made a huge difference to her if she had been able to know her donor or have information about him. It's sad that things were mismanaged so badly in the past, but I think the most important thing is to learn from that and promote known-donation, rather than complaining about DC per se.

The kinds of comments that really irk me are things like "it just aint natural man" Grrrr!!! Doing chemo or dialysis isn't natural either, but most people would jump at the chance for medical science to help them or their families if it could. It's so tedious that the infertile are judged as selfish...geez, we are accused of that for not having children...can't win with some people.

Rain xx

I think I've seen this program previously, definitely had some valid points. I too was heartened to see donor conceived children from open donations, they seemed so well balanced and level headed.

As for the people who think it 'aint natural', I just shake my head. They're the same people who would have been talking about how 'unnatural' it is to offer pain relief during birth or to 'meddle' in things like cancer 50 years ago. Small minded.

xxx
Tania

Mum and I watched it. I think that Michael? guy was a bit cracked about 'giving away children' I can see his point but am sure glad he didn't conceive me!!

TaniaD I agree, "ain't natural" pfft!! It has been going on for centuries just under different names (can't really count egg donation I spose). How can anyone think it isn't natural?

And for those who want a donor offsprings view, I think everyone should be able to access information. At least medical information. This really hits home for me as I am part of the generation of donor offspring whose donor records were destroyed. I know my donor code and how many siblings I have, male or female and they are all in different families and born between certain years but nothing about the donor other than his bland description. My sister born 3yrs later has her records intact and if he chooses to come forward they can meet.


Michaela

As the only egg donor on the SBS program, it was interesting to meet children from donor sperm and their outlook. THe only thing that I wish for is that maybe they could concentrate a bit on the upside of donating for someone in order to encourage others to donate. On hearing others stories, I am so glad that when the time comes for any of my donor children to knock on my door, they will be reminded of how hard their parents founght (emotionally and financially) to bring them into the world and that makes them so special.

And to all you ladies out there who are struggling with infertility and searching for egg/sperm donors i really take my hat of to you...the only thing i have ever desperatly wanted was to be a size 8 and to have shares in Hungry Jacks.

another thing I thought was interesting...I havent seen the full programme ...is that they used the term "donor parents" which reinforces the "giving away a child"" concept