SEMINAR: Reproduction by donor conception: different perspectives on the donor conception process.

The Seminar: Approximately 10% of fertility treatment cycles in Australia use gametes (sperm or eggs) donated from a third party. In the past donors were usually anonymous, little personal or health information about them was stored and children born were seldom told the manner of their conception. More recently there has been a shift in societal attitude away from secrecy towards openness. This seminar discusses the changes in policy and practices of donor conception in Australia over the last decade, the accompanying changes in the profile of donors and recipients, and the different value those stakeholders in the donor conception process place on information about the donor.

The Speaker: Kathy Sanders has a BSc (Hons) and PhD from The University of Western Australia (UWA). She was appointed lecturer in the School of Anatomy & Human Biology at UWA in 2002 and teaches human biology and reproductive biology to undergraduate science and medical students. Dr Sanders’ research brings together theory and practice from psychology, endocrinology and evolutionary ecology to examine lifestyle and psychosocial factors influencing human reproduction. Her research centers around three main areas: the impact and interaction of stress (psychosocial and energetic) on reproductive processes; the stress buffering effects of supportive social relationships on psychological and reproductive health outcomes; and issues surrounding the use of donated gametes and embryos in assisted reproductive technology. Dr Sanders is a deputy member of the Reproductive Technology Council of Western Australia and a member of its Scientific Advisory Committee.