Donor Conception and the Right to Know

Donor Conception and the Right to Know

From Adopt Perspective Adoption Podcast by Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow for Jigsaw Queensland

May 26, 2026 · 1h 6m · Season 6 · Episode 10

About this episode

This episode explores the complexities of donor conception through the personal story of Katherine Dawson and the implications of her discoveries.

What happens when the story you were told about your conception begins to unravel? In this episode of Adopt Perspective, Jo Sparrow speaks with Katherine Dawson, creator of Origin Archives, about her experience as a donor conceived person, the shocking discoveries she made about her donor, the growing number of siblings she has found, and the serious questions her story raises about fertility clinics, records, health information, genetic identity and accountability. This conversation explores donor conception in Australia, Assisted Reproductive Technology, family secrets, biological truth, systemic failure and the power of lived experience to create change. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Donor Conception and Personal Stories 06:36 The Complexities of Identity and Family 14:35 Marketing and Perceptions of Donor Conception 24:14 Navigating Medical Concerns in Donor Conception 29:27 The Search for Identity and Siblings 33:22 Health Implications and Genetic Awareness 38:45 Creating Change Through Origin Archives Resources Origin Archives Donor Conceived Australia This episode will resonate with adopted adults, parents who lost children to adoption, siblings, adoptive parents…

People in this episode

Host: Jo Sparrow

Guest: Katherine Dawson

Topics covered

  • donor conception
  • identity
  • family secrets
  • fertility clinics
  • genetic identity
  • lived experience
  • systemic failure

Keywords

  • donor conception
  • fertility
  • genetic identity
  • family
  • health information
  • Assisted Reproductive Technology
  • adoption
  • identity search
  • systemic issues

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Origin Archives, Donor Conceived Australia, Jigsaw Queensland

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