The 'double track' policy for donor anonymity

Abstract

Although there is no evidence that any one policy is the best solution, clinics as well as legislators tend to impose one position about donor anonymity on all participants. The most evident alternative policy is to let the parties decide for themselves. Donors may choose between anonymity or identification and recipients can opt for an anonymous or identifiable donor. This 'double track' policy for anonymity represents the best attempt to balance the rights of donors, recipients and donor offspring. The procedure reflects the plurality of visions and the absence of an independent standard to decide which one is best.