Feb 4 Weekly Round-Up

An episode of the Right to Know Weekly Roundup podcast, hosted by Right To Know, titled "Feb 4 Weekly Round-Up" was published on February 4, 2022 and runs 6 minutes.

February 4, 2022 ·6m · Right to Know Weekly Roundup

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Summary

RTK is now listed as a resource for Ancestry.com under unexpected matches - yea!  We testified on SB 5348 in WA. Traci Portugal who is the product of doctor fertility fraud testified first. Jennifer Morris Gorgarten who is a Biostatistics professor at UW, a married lesbian mom who had her children through assisted reproduction with a donor and who has donated eggs - all known from birth, testified next. Licensed therapist Jana Rupnow, LPC who wrote “Three Makes Baby, How to Parent Donor-Conceived Children” added “some families are open with their children regarding their conception but do not understand the importance of genetic identity. Acknowledging genetic identity does not threaten a loving family environment but can instead strengthen the parent-child bond.”Sarah Chicoine, JD who wrote “The Birth of Fertility Fraud: How to Protect Washingtonians” discussed why victims do not have a clear path to bring such suits as well. Peter J Boni, a DCP and author of Uprooted, testified how the fertility industry operates with little legislative accountability. Laura Gunner who conceived her son through the use of a sperm donor who did not disclose past medical conditions and her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia and died from a drug overdose testified: “A multibillion-dollar industry profited from my son’s conception and he and my family suffered the consequences because it was based on a lie. There will never be justice for Steven. Donor-conceived people deserve better. No one should have their life and health determined by a lie.” The democratic majority voted to move forward only the loss of licensure for a doctor who engages in such practices forward. Two republicans noted this was not sufficient and we agree. We will continue to fight to protect donor-conceived people in our home state. In IA, SF 2169, was re-introduced by Senator Sweeney. There’s a provision that states a patient’s request to use an anonymous donor is not a defense to fertility fraud. And, MI introduced broad-based fertility fraud legislation with up to 31 sponsors. When reaching out to genetic family - GO SLOW. If you are not ready for all outcomes, do not reach out. We know this feels impossible given how your world was turned upside down and you want answers. Sunday at noon PST, join us with therapist John Moyer, LPC to discuss how to come back from rejection. Email [email protected] for the zoom link and sign up here to automatically receive links. Check out the podcast Message in a Bottle

Episode Description

RTK is now listed as a resource for Ancestry.com under unexpected matches - yea!

We testified on SB 5348 in WA. Traci Portugal who is the product of doctor fertility fraud testified first. Jennifer Morris Gorgarten who is a Biostatistics professor at UW, a married lesbian mom who had her children through assisted reproduction with a donor and who has donated eggs - all known from birth, testified next. Licensed therapist Jana Rupnow, LPC who wrote “Three Makes Baby, How to Parent Donor-Conceived Children” added “some families are open with their children regarding their conception but do not understand the importance of genetic identity. Acknowledging genetic identity does not threaten a loving family environment but can instead strengthen the parent-child bond.”Sarah Chicoine, JD who wrote “The Birth of Fertility Fraud: How to Protect Washingtonians” discussed why victims do not have a clear path to bring such suits as well. Peter J Boni, a DCP and author of Uprooted, testified how the fertility industry operates with little legislative accountability.

Laura Gunner who conceived her son through the use of a sperm donor who did not disclose past medical conditions and her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia and died from a drug overdose testified: “A multibillion-dollar industry profited from my son’s conception and he and my family suffered the consequences because it was based on a lie. There will never be justice for Steven. Donor-conceived people deserve better. No one should have their life and health determined by a lie.”

The democratic majority voted to move forward only the loss of licensure for a doctor who engages in such practices forward. Two republicans noted this was not sufficient and we agree. We will continue to fight to protect donor-conceived people in our home state.

In IA, SF 2169, was re-introduced by Senator Sweeney. There’s a provision that states a patient’s request to use an anonymous donor is not a defense to fertility fraud. And, MI introduced broad-based fertility fraud legislation with up to 31 sponsors.

When reaching out to genetic family - GO SLOW. If you are not ready for all outcomes, do not reach out. We know this feels impossible given how your world was turned upside down and you want answers.

Sunday at noon PST, join us with therapist John Moyer, LPC to discuss how to come back from rejection. Email [email protected] for the zoom link and sign up here to automatically receive links.

Check out the podcast Message in a Bottle