Information about online DNA testing and donor conception

These leaflets aim to help answer questions about online DNA testing (also called direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT)) for people connected to donor conception, including:

• Donor-conceived people
• Sperm and egg donors
• Parents who used donor conception (or are considering it)

What is online DNA testing?

Online DNA testing kits (such as Ancestry, MyHeritage, and 23andMe) is when you go online and do a DNA test, usually a saliva test, and send it off to a commercial company who analyse your DNA.

These tests can reveal unexpected connections to donors, donor siblings, and other genetic relatives. This can bring up complicated feelings and situations for everyone involved in donor conception.

What’s in these leaflets?

• Answers to common questions about DNA testing and donor conception
• Practical guidance based on research
• Case studies of stories from people who have used these tests

These leaflets come from the ConnecteDNA research project, which studied how donor-conceived people, donors, parents, and families use online DNA testing. We hope you find these leaflets useful.

Please note: This information is mainly for people who donated or are thinking of donating through a UK licensed clinic. Some information may also apply to informal sperm donors or donor conception and donations in other countries.

Please share your feedback

We would really like your feedback on these leaflets, so please complete our short survey, answering a few questions on the leaflets and if you found them useful. This will only take 2 minutes, and we are not collecting any personal data and answers are anonymous.

Thanks for your time!

The leaflets as PDFs

Click on the image to open the leaflet as a webpage, or click below for a PDF copy.

Our research and findings

You can also explore our website for project details, research findings, and information about our team.