– It was like seeing my son with slightly longer hair. I thought this is a sibling. The 34-year-old tells of an episode she will soon forget. A single mother in the same district wanted to meet other single mothers. The two agreed to have a coffee together. When Sarah Johnsen Lunde saw a picture of the woman’s daughter, she was shocked. The gut feeling turned out to be right. The children had the same donor father. THE DONOR SIBLINGS: Sarah Johnsen Lunde had not thought that she would meet one of her son’s biological half-siblings by pure chance. Photo: Eirik Pessl-Kleiven / news – This is so close that when they get older they could meet at a party or at a high school and find the tone. People like to say that people who look alike also find it easier to fall for each other. On holiday with the donor sibling Her bright, fair-haired three-year-old settles down well on the running bike, ready to speed off across the road by the housing estate where he lives. First he will just study the three-leaf clover that mum has found in the grass. ONE, TWO, THREE … It’s easier to count the leaves on the three-leaf clover than his own gang of half-siblings. Photo: Ingvild Edvardsen / news – For me, this is the best choice I could have made. We have a great time together, says Lunde. – He is a child who is really wanted. It is better to have one parent who loves you than to have a bad parent as well. It has been four years since she had assisted fertilization with a donor in Denmark. She took home a budding life in her stomach – and a donor number. FULL SPEED: It’s not easy to keep up when the active boy kicks from across the road. Photo: Ingvild Edvardsen / news In addition to the girl they met by pure chance, she has taken strategic steps to find the boy’s half-sibling. By searching for the donor number on Facebook, she has found other mothers who have used the same donor. – I have found 20 half-siblings. In addition, one is pregnant. The mothers, who live in Norway and in other countries, keep in touch in a separate group. – We share children’s pictures, holiday experiences and keep an eye on each other’s children. Then we give each other tips and support. SIBLINGS GROUP: Sarah Johnsen Lunde initiated a closed group on Facebook where mothers share their lives. Photo: Eirik Pessl-Kleiven / news She says that they have been on holiday with a family in Norway and visited a half-brother in Denmark. – I think it is important for him to feel a sense of belonging, that he is not alone in this. He gets someone to look up to. Wants a change in the law In Norway, you are not currently given a donor number. If parents want to find the donor sibling, one must DNA test the child and bet that others have done the same. The Biotechnology Council wants the state to take responsibility for “matching” the donor sibling. – We believe it is important that donor-conceived people both find out about their donor parentage and their siblings. They need to learn about their genetic origins, says manager Marianne Aasen. DISCUSSED: Leader of the Biotechnology Council, Marianne Aasen, says they have discussed the issue of donor siblings on behalf of the Ministry of Health. Photo: Ingvild Edvardsen Today, children conceived with a donor can find the donor’s identity via Helsenorge when they are 15 years old (18 years for children born before 2021). The Biotechnology Council believes that information about half-siblings should also be there. It is worth noting if the siblings themselves have approved it. Sperm and egg donation Photo: Truls Alnes Antonsen / news In Norway, couples who are married or cohabiting can be offered assisted fertilization with donor sperm or donor eggs if given conditions are met. Single women can receive treatment with donor sperm. In Norway, both imported sperm and egg cells are used, as well as gametes donated by Norwegian donors. Each sperm donor can give birth to children in a maximum of six families in Norway. Egg donors can donate three times. Since 2005, anonymous donors have been prohibited. The children have the right to know who the donor is when they turn 15. Until 2021, the rule was that the children had to turn 18 before they could find out who the genetic father is. The parents are obliged to tell the children that they have been conceived with the help of donor sperm or donor eggs. Sarah Johnsen Lunde received donor treatment in Denmark before this was allowed for single people in Norway. The son is therefore not covered by the Norwegian rules. She is nevertheless concerned that the law should be changed so that others in the same situation find out about half-siblings. – It is extremely important. Everyone needs to know where they come from and who they are. And then you can prevent siblings from meeting, staying together and having children. To be evaluated The Ministry of Health has commissioned an evaluation of the Biotechnology Act, which also includes the issue of donor siblings. – It is not natural to comment on individual aspects until we receive the full evaluation next spring, says State Secretary Ellen Moen Rønning-Arnesen (Ap). – Shocking The association for donor-conceived people has called for a change in the law. – We prevent inbreeding of Norwegian cattle by Geno having full control over the pedigree. We take it seriously there, but we have no control over people, says acting leader, Raymond Egge Kristiansen. WANTS OPENNESS: – Knowing who you are related to is absolutely fundamental for many of us, says Raymond Egge Kristiansen. Photo: Christian Ziegler Remme / news What do you think about it? – It’s really shocking, and it shows a fear of touch towards us donor-conceived. Swedish research indicates that the chance of donor-conceived people meeting and having children together is small, less than one percent. This assumes that they are no more than ten half-siblings. Kristiansen Egge thinks it is not good enough. – We have several stories about siblings being close to each other in social contexts back in the 80s and until recently. Now that there is also a ban on cousin marriage in Norway, we think it is natural that you know who you are related to. He believes that one should consider giving families information about half-siblings already when the children are small. – We know that there are a number of parents who want to have an overview of who their children have as genetic family. In any case, it is a good idea to discuss whether you can find out earlier. Marianne Aasen in the Biotechnology Council will not go that far. – I have respect for the position, but we have come a long way in 15 years. You should be of a certain age to handle that type of information, and we believe that donor-conceived women themselves should be allowed to decide whether they want to know. The Egg and Sperm Donor Register Photo: Roy Pettersen / Roy Pettersen The register contains information about donors used in Norwegian clinics after 2005. The first ones who have the right to know who the donor is, were created with the help of assisted fertilization in 2005/2006. You must be 18 years of age to access this information. The age limit was later lowered to 15 years. Those who request information will be able to obtain this via helsenorge.no. The number of births after treatment with donor sperm in Norway has increased as lesbians and singles have gained the right to assisted fertilization. In 2021, 644 children were born after treatment with donor sperm or eggs in Norway. In addition, there are children conceived with a donor abroad. Children who were conceived with a donor before 2005, or at a foreign clinic, cannot use the egg and sperm donor register. Sources: Norwegian Directorate of Health, Ministry of Health and Care, Biotechnology Council. Hello! Do you have any input after reading this case? Please send me an email. Published 01.08.2024, at 17.36
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Have found 20 donor siblings for the son. Want him to know who they are. – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
