Sperm Donor Dads and DNA Paternity Testing – What is the impact?

Many people will argue that it is of no importance to do a DNA paternity test to find your biological father, if the only role he has had in your life so far, was to donate sperm. However, some people grow up with a constant feeling of needing to know the truth.

What is the importance of a DNA Paternity Test?

Many children conceived through sperm donation grow up feeling “different” to their parents and siblings and this, in part, can be explained by finding out who their father is. In the case of Mr.X, the subject grew up with a deep desire to find his biological father. It was eventually discovered that his “real” father was Jewish and the subject felt that a missing part of him had been found. He embraced the culture and religion and found a sense of identity that had been lacking in his life until then.

What impact on identity can such a test have?

A recent investigation, on the identity crises suffered by those conceived through donor insemination, by the Department of Psychology at the University of Surrey, revealed that many use paternity tests as a way of defining who they are. It was shown that participants in the study who did not have confirmation, of who their biological father was, suffered from emotional trust issues. Many were upset by the failure in searches for their real fathers, with the report coming to the conclusion that it was important for all psychotherapists to be aware of and able to identify “identity issues” surrounding donor offspring.

What assurance does one get from paternity testing?

We cannot begin to understand the extent of the issues that can arise from not knowing who your biological father is, and the assurance one gets from a paternity test goes a long way to restoring a sense of identity. Physical traits inherited from your family’s genes, are one of the many ways we feel we belong, and the lack of these may cause a child to feel like an outcast within their own family. Taking a paternity test to find out the truth can be an important first step in making sense of your gene pool, and though sometimes an emotional strain, most children are keen to find out and meet their biological fathers.

Is a this test accepted as final proof?

History has shown that there will always be a need for people to trace their biological families. In the past, through private investigation and many years of searching, people have been reunited with their donor dads, however, until recent paternity testing; there was no absolute certainty as to whether a person had found their biological father. Once a person is found and a paternity test is carried out, it is the final proof needed in your genetic search.

About easyDNA

easyDNA specialize in the provision of reliable, accurate and confidential paternity testing, DNA relationship testing and DNA forensic testing to both the private and public sector. To contact us with further questions please email info@easydna.in