Receiving, or ‘Adopting’, Donated Embryos to Have Children

Parents Narrate and Draw Kinship Boundaries

Bibliographic Data

ID13082016
AuthorsFiona Tasker (0000-0003-4205-5408, Birkbeck, University of London, corresponding author), Alessio Gubello (0000-0002-9729-9234, University of Padua), Victoria Clarke (0000-0001-9405-7363, University of the West of England), Naomi Moller (0000-0003-2645-8995, The Open University), Michal Nahman (0000-0001-9933-5772, University of the West of England), Rachel Willcox (University of the West of England)
Year2018
Volume2
Issue3
Pages35-35
Publication date2018-09-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGenealogy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2313-5778 • E-ISSN: 2313-5778
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/genealogy2030035
OpenAlexW2891375601
LanguageEN
References cited26

Existing research suggests that embryo donation (ED) may be seen as similar to adoption by those who donate or receive embryos, or it may not. Our qualitative study explored whether having a child via embryo donation initiated kinship connections between embryo donor and recipient families as interpreted by recipient parents. Interviews were conducted with five parents from four families whose child(ren) had been born via embryo donation. All four families had an open-contact relationship set up with the couples who donated their embryos through an agency in the USA. Narrative thematic analysis of interview data and visual family map drawings were used to explore kinship conceptualizations. We conclude that the dilemma experienced by parents who have a child via embryo donation is to decide how to reconcile their child’s different genetic heritage, when gestation and upbringing both clearly boundary family membership solely within the recipient family. While some families were still struggling with this dilemma, one solution embarked upon by some parents when drawing their family map was to expand family membership, not only on the basis of genetics, but also via an appreciation of shared family and community values too

Agency (philosophy · Biology · Developmental psychology · Dilemma · Donation · Embryo donation · Genealogy · Kinship · Political science · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Sperm donation · Thematic analysis · Anthropology · Assisted Reproductive Technology and Twin Pregnancy · Child Welfare and Adoption · Law · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Social Psychology · Genetics