Operating outside the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008, these informal arrangements expose families to disputes over legal parenthood, lack of medical screening, and psychological distress. Without the safeguards of licensed clinics, donors may claim parental rights, and children risk missing vital genetic information. Cases like ‘Joe Donor’ and Netflix’s The Man with 1000 Kids highlight the dangers of genetic clustering and legal ambiguity.
Akhundova calls for urgent reform: criminal sanctions for serial unregulated donors, public awareness campaigns, and improved access to licensed fertility services.
Family lawyers must guide clients through these risks and advocate for stronger protections. As the digital age accelerates, the law must catch up to protect the foundations of family life from being undermined before they begin.
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