The impact of direct to consumer genetic testing on donor anonymity

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyse direct-to-consumer genetic tests, indicating genetic ancestry and point in what manner they are a significant risk to the identification donors of reproductive cells. Aforementioned issue deserves particular attention because of legal regulations that statute preserve donor anonymity. The paper presents an analysis of the report published in 2022 by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), which contains recommendations for information provision for people involved in reproductive donation. Polish regulations are also presented in this regard, as well as the challenges faced by the legislator due to the widespread availability of direct-to-consumer genetic tests. The law as it should be calls for an enhancement of thereon information provision and abolish anonymous donation due to the inability to provide it in practice.