Truth-Telling and “Informed Assent” for Donor-Conceived Children: An Interview with Infertility Counselors in Japan

Abstract

A growing number of people in Japan were donor-conceived. Previous studies indicate that many of these children experience conflicts in relationships with their parents due to a lack of honesty or “the right to know.” There is growing recognition amongst researchers and children of the necessity for speaking the truth on this issue. Infertility counselors are expected to play a role in providing psychological care for infertile couples, but their attitudes toward children and truth-telling are unclear. In this study, in-depth interviews were held with six infertility counselors. As a result of this study, counselors respected children's perspectives, and facilitated communication between couples. They attempted to support a couple's shared decision-making, and truth-telling. In the context of clinical ethics, the term “informed assent” applies to minors to be informed, and to express their willingness to accept the proposed care. We suggest that parents and medical professionals should share the idea and practice the same for truth-telling as a life-long process.