The Right to Know One’s Genetic Origin

Abstract

The present research is devoted to the concept and legal regulation of the right to know one’s genetic origins. Particularly, the paper contains approaches to understanding the right to know one’s genetic origins, defines mains stakeholders, and provides ethical justifications for the right in question. The legislative provisions and ECHR court practice are studied. The relevant problems are highlighted, such as donor anonymity, ‘reproductive tourism’, the moment of disclosure to the child, conflict of interests of involved parties and further relevant issues. For the purpose of achieving the goals of the study, recommendations for legislative regulations were elaborated. General suggestions were formulated to build an effective approach to the provision concerning the right to know individual’s genetic origins. The conditions for such disclosure were discussed and summarized.