Campaigners fear the identification rules will drive away donors

Since April 2005, information which can identify the donor of an egg, sperm or embryo, can be given to child born as a result when they are 18.

The Radio Wales programme Eye on Wales speaks to affected families on Monday.

Among them is Debbie Braden from Conwy who is waiting for a donor egg. She is worried donors could now be put off.

Anyone who has donated an egg, sperm or embryo since April 2005 could be contacted by their biological offspring after 2023.

Since the official donor register was introduced in 1991, around 25,000 children have been born to infertile parents.

But fertility campaigners are worried that donors will think twice now that they have lost the right to stay anonymous.

The fertility regulation authorities say children born from donations should be able to complete the genetic picture of who they are.

Opponents argue that many donors simply want to help and do not want to be identified. They fear many will stay away from donor clinics, making the queues for fertility treatment lengthen.

Genetic origins

Debbie Braden, 43, from Conwy, has a four-year-old daughter from one successful IVF cycle and has set up a self-help group for women in her position.

She is hoping for a second child but needs egg donors. She has already had two further fertility treatments but they have both failed.

Mrs Braden is considering going to Spain for her next treatment, as the waiting lists are shorter and the egg donors are still anonymous.

She believes children born through fertility treatments have a right to know their genetic origins but fears the new rules will only increase her wait for treatment.

'Knock at the door'

She said: "I worry about waiting lists getting longer and longer.

"It's more the altruistic donor I worry about - the people who have their own family - and who are doing something to help someone else have their own family.

"They are less likely to help if in 18 years' time they may get a knock at the door."

Eye on Wales is broadcast on BBC Radio Wales at 1800 BST on Monday