Gamete Donation No Longer Anonymous in B.C.

A landmark ruling in B.C. gives children born from gamete donation the same right to learn about their biological parents as adopted children.

In the first ruling of its kind in North America, a B.C. judge ruled Thursday to give children of sperm or egg donors the same rights as adopted children to learn about their biological parents, striking down the B.C. Adoption Act as unconstitutional. The landmark lawsuit was filed by Olivia Pratten in hopes of getting the same rights for children born of anonymous sperm, egg, or embryo donors as adopted children so they could learn more about their genetic makeup as they grew older. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Elaine Adair also ruled that anonymous gamete donation is no longer permitted in B.C. However, the ruling will not be retroactive.