Relating to Donors: Strangers, Boundaries and Tantalising Knowledge

Abstract

In this chapter we discuss the complex ways in which families of donor conceived children make sense of the child’s genetic connection outside the family to the egg, sperm or embryo donor(s). The donor relationship raises difficult questions, for example, how the donor should relate to the family and the child, his or her role in child’s life and also how the child relates to other donor kin connections, for example donor siblings. In this chapter we explore how families perceive and negotiate the donor relationship and donor connections as part of their everyday family life.