The McGowan Government acknowledges and supports the fundamental need for people to know their biological heritage, as such it is providing a new service for people who are donor-conceived, parents of donor-conceived children and their donors.
The Department of Health has awarded a community grant to JIGSAW to provide support services for information sharing in donor conception.
JIGSAW currently runs adoption services so has expertise with intermediary support, communication of sensitive personal information regarding biological heritage and support of individuals and their family around these issues.
The new service 'JIGSAW DNA Connect' will provide a range of free services for donor-conceived people, donors, and their families including:
- help with access to information;
- support and assistance with information sharing and contact;
- DNA testing where needed; and
- support for people who have been contacted through direct to consumer DNA testing such as ancestry.com
This service is anticipated to be operational by the end of March.
For many years the Department of Health has run a voluntary information sharing registration system for people who are donor-conceived and their donor. However, it is clear that a more comprehensive and integrated service is required.
This service is available to any person who is donor-conceived, and their family; the parents of donor-conceived children; and donors and their family.
People who are currently registered with the Department of Health's 'Voluntary Register' will receive information by email and/or post about how to access the new service in the coming weeks.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"This new service will mean donor-conceived people, donors and their families will have access to a holistic and personalised service.
"Connecting people linked by donor conception treatment is a matter of profound significance and the McGowan Government will continue to look at ways to support all people involved.
"There have been many scientific developments and social changes which have meant that more comprehensive and integrated services are required to manage donor-related information and to meet the needs of the community."
