Charles has finally found his father. Or rather its parent. Born from a PMA, he only understood when his father died several years ago that he had no genetic link with him. A few DNA tests and a confrontation with his mother later, he had confirmation. After contacting the PMA Anonyme association, he took advantage of the bioethics law of August 2, 2021, which opens the right to PMA in France and allows the anonymity of donors to be lifted, to start looking for his origins. Today he recounts his quest for France Inter.
The 30-year-old therefore contacted the Commission for access of people born from medically assisted procreation to data from third-party donors (Capadd), born of the bioethics law. A total of 688 files were filed: 363 people are trying to find their donor, and 325 donors have already given their consent to be found. Charles’ file is the only one to have been successful so far.
Facetious approaches
“I had a registered letter. When we open, we are told that there is a favorable response to our request, he explains to France Inter. In this envelope there is a second mail, a sealed letter with the donor’s information. The most moving thing was really to receive the favorable result. In the mail, appear the surname, first name, date of birth, professional situation and the reasons for the choice of the donor.
Since the entry into force of the law on September 1, 2022, new donors must fill out a sheet with this information in front of a doctor and give their consent to enter the Capadd database. Their “children” can therefore easily find them when they come of age. But for old donations, the Commission’s research can last several months, because each donation center must be contacted, and they agree to do the research in their archives. Aware of being a “lucky one”, Charles does not plan to “have a long-term relationship” with his parent.