Research question: What is the retrospective perception of past gamete donors, given the paradigm shift in donor anonymity practices?

Design: This study draws on an exploratory qualitative study involving semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 sperm donors and 12 egg donors, conducted an average of 31 years after their first donation. All participants had been contacted by donor offspring.

Results: This study examines how personal life courses and socio-historical contexts shape past gamete donors’ perceptions of their donations as they change over time. Findings show that, at the time of donation, the donors’ personal histories and the anonymous donation paradigm fostered a view of donation as a time-limited action. However, as time has passed, the donors have gained new experiences, achieved new statuses and witnessed shifts in the social context, leading them to re-evaluate the implications of their donations – namely, the birth of human beings with needs and rights. This realization has prompted the donors to consider the long-term impact of their donations, which has transformed those donations into enduring commitments.

Conclusions: Contrary to common assumptions, past donors are receptive to social and personal changes. The study demonstrates donors’ evolving perception of their donation as an act with long-term effects and highlights the importance of recognizing donors as essential actors within third-party reproduction, deserving of specific consideration and care.