Paper short abstract:

The recently-disallowed practice of anonymous semen donation in the UK reveals the instability of the concept of inheritance, and ambivalence about the relationship between genetic, social and material inheritance.

Paper long abstract:

Anonymous semen donation in the UK was characterised by keeping the identity of the donor hidden from recipients whilst assuring them of the quality of donors' genes and positive characteristics. Donors were usually selected for their youth, their intelligence and their good health. One reason for insisting on anonymity was to prevent the donor exercising any claim on the donor conceived child, it being assumed that a donor might wish to interfere with the child's upbringing.

The prevention of donor offspring from making claims for material inheritance from the donors was not anticipated as necessary, since it was presumed that anonymity prevented any possibility of donor offspring from discovering the identity of the donor. However research shows that some donors of the past are concerned that donor offspring might make claims for emotional support or for a share of the donors' estates, if the donor offspring could discover their identity. At the same time, donors are curious to know what they have handed on to donor offspring by way of physical appearance. I suggest that one cause of the discrepancy is the lack of thought into how donors might view their donation in hindsight, when they became fathers and grandfathers.