Implementation of the new bioethics law on medically assisted procreation

Gamete donation is an act of solidarity, governed by the current bioethics law. It is a free, voluntary act, carried out in a hospital. Anyone in good health between the ages of 18 and 44 in the case of men, and 18 and 37 in the case of women, can donate gametes. Article 1 of the new law opens up access to PGM to couples and unmarried women. In this context, it is important to continue our efforts to mobilize donors in order to meet the expectations of all those who need a gamete donation in order to realize their parental project.

Key figures for gamete donation in 2019:

• 317 men donated sperm (-18% on 2018)
• 987 children were born alive following MPA with sperm donation
• 836 women donated oocytes (+7.5% on 2018).
• 409 children were born alive following MPA with oocyte donation
• 27,063 children were born following MPA in 2019, including 1,396 from egg or sperm donation.

To meet new needs and diversify donor profiles, the Agence de la biomédecine is continuing and intensifying its awareness-raising and educational work, begun in 2008. To this end, a vast two-pronged communication campaign is being launched on October 21, in close collaboration with healthcare professionals.

A new campaign aimed at potential donorsThe aim of the communication campaign is to publicize changes in the law and raise awareness of the issues surrounding gamete donation and medically assisted procreation. Aimed at potential donors and the general public, the campaign is designed to increase the number of annual donations in order to meet the needs of recipients, in all their diversity. This new campaign highlights the gratitude expressed by recipients towards donors, a gift that enables them to realize their lifelong dream of becoming parents: "THANK YOU. With the new law, more and more people will be able to use MAP. Today, more than ever, they are counting on you. She also emphasized that access to donation and MAP techniques is a social issue affecting the whole population.

A specific communication campaign on the right of access to originsA specific campaign is also being run to provide information on the new right of access to origins, instituted by law for the benefit of people born from gamete or embryo donations. The campaign aims to reassure donors about the motivations of children born from gamete donation AMP: "I was born thanks to a sperm/oocyte donation. Today, I'm not looking for a parent; I'm looking for answers". The right of access to origins instituted by the law will enable any person born of a gamete or embryo donation to have access, from the age of 18, if he or she so requests, to the identity of the donor who enabled his or her conception, as well as to non-identifying data concerning him or her. For donations made after September 1, 2022, this consent becomes a condition of gamete or embryo donation. For donations made before September 1, 2022, the right of access to origins can only be exercised if the donor has been contacted and has expressly consented to the communication of his identity, or non-identifying data concerning him, to the person born from his donation. Former donors can contact a commission attached to the Ministry of Solidarity and Health to make their choice known. Otherwise, they will be contacted by this commission in the event of a request for access to their origins, and invited to indicate whether or not they consent to the transmission of their identity to the requester.

A campaign aimed at the general public:

• Two campaign spots broadcast on a selection of national channels (in replay), in cinemas and on social networks,
• Two radio spots broadcast on a selection of radio stations, as well as on Deezer and Spotify.
• A digital campaign (banners, targeted partnerships with influencers, educational video),
• Press inserts in selected print and online media.

A large-scale, multi-channel communication campaign aimed at healthcare professionals:

• Support for healthcare professionals at MPA and donation centers, with information documents for healthcare professionals, their teams and patients,
• A relay to independent healthcare professionals with the MERCI poster campaign and the distribution of brochures to 1000 practices, as well as the creation of 3 training modules available on the partner website Vidal.fr.

In parallel with this campaign, the Agence de la biomédecine is creating reference sites and social accounts dedicated to gamete donation:

• Two reference information sites dondovocytes.fr and dondespermatozoides.fr to answer all your questions about the conditions for donation, understand the different stages of donation, obtain contact details for your nearest donation center, etc. ;
• Two dedicated Instagram accounts: jedonnemesovocytes and jedonnemesspermatozoides, to promote gamete donation and share testimonials;
• Posters and information brochures specific to each of the two donations and the changes brought about by the new law.

Press contacts: Agence TBWA Violaine Bourquin - violaine.bourquin@tbwa-corporate.com - 06 07 46 34 89 Blanche Bobin-Parra - blanche.bobin-parra@tbwa-corporate.com - 06 48 40 75 16

Agence de la biomédecine Hélène Duguet - presse@biomedecine.fr - 06 16 35 91 80