Donor-conceived adults - personal histories and reflections
Dear Colleagues,
The Linacre Centre is the principal distributor for Who Am I? Experiences of Donor Conception, a collection of personal stories of donor-conceived adults published by the Idreos Education Trust, with commentary from Dr Alexina McWhinnie. Please see below for details on the book and how to order.
With best wishes,
(Dr) Helen Watt
Director
Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics
(020) 72667410
Who Am I?
Experiences of
Donor Conception
£6.95
What is it like to grow up knowing that one was conceived from donor sperm – or to find this out only much later in life? How does it feel to meet, for the first time, other children of one’s donor father – or to continue to search for the identity of the donor and of other relatives? In this book, three adult offspring conceived by donor insemination share their experiences. Dr Alexina McWhinnie, a social researcher who has worked extensively in the area of assisted conception, reflects further on their stories and those of other donor-conceived adults.
This collection of essays was commissioned by the Idreos Education Trust to raise awareness of the impact of donor conception on the offspring, and on his/her social family. The book is intended both for the general reader and for those with a personal or professional interest in donor conception. It has been distributed free of charge to Members of Parliament.
“This book brings to life the many unanticipated problems experienced by the donor-conceived person. Each author in her own way describes feelings of evasion, confusion and discomfort within their families compounded by secrecy and unanswered questions. These touching stories help the reader to feel the distress experienced by the child and adult who seems to have an intuitive feeling of being different.”
Ruth Wilson, grief counsellor, SANDS Lothians
“Just as infertility is grieved, because people grieve the loss of having and raising their own genetic children, so too can that loss be mirrored by not knowing or being raised by one’s own genetic parents.”
Joanna Rose, contributor
“The joy I felt upon learning my identity reminds me of the intense relief which ensues when an illness or pain finally passes.”
Louise Jamieson, contributor
“It is more than time that the voices and experiences of DI offspring should be recognised and listened to. They are as much ‘stakeholders’ in the contemporary debate as clinicians, scientists and would-be parents.”
Dr Alexina McWhinnie, contributor
Media queries to UK contributors: Christine Whipp, tel. 01404 41193; Louise Jamieson, tel. 07973 382 992 (weekends/after 5 p.m. weekdays); Dr Alexina McWhinnie, tel. 01382 542686.
Published by: Idreos Education Trust, 15 Wathen Road, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5UX;
Distributed by: Linacre Centre, 38 Circus Road, London NW8 9SE ; tel (020) 72667410; fax (020) 72665424. £6.95 (£7.65 including UK postage, or £8.34 including postage for overseas orders). Please make cheques payable to the Linacre Centre; credit/debit card payments also accepted. Resale terms available. See our website at www.linacre.org for information on US and Australasian distributors.
