Promotion of donations

The need for gamete donations has risen sharply since access to medically assisted procreation was extended, particularly for women not in couples. To meet the expectations of people who cannot conceive without a donation - whether they are couples facing infertility, female couples or unmarried women - the Agence de la biomédecine is stepping up its awareness-raising campaigns. In conjunction with its institutional partners, donation centers, healthcare professionals and associations, it informs the general public and encourages donation, in compliance with the framework set by the French bioethics laws.

Gamete donation is based on the free and informed consent of the donors. It is a free and anonymous act of generosity between donor and recipient. Any woman aged between 18 and 37 in good health can donate her oocytes. Any healthy man between the ages of 18 and 44 can donate sperm. To do so, they must go to a donation center (an authorized hospital facility) to undergo interviews with the medical team and medical examinations, guaranteeing a well-considered and supervised approach. This gesture enables thousands of people to become parents, thanks to medically assisted procreation techniques.

The Agency is developing campaigns to promote gamete donation and recruit new donors with diverse profiles, in order to offer everyone the chance to become a parent. In particular, the #FaitesDesParents campaign aims to encourage parents who have just had a child, and young people who have no children of their own, to donate their gametes. Following on from this campaign, the #FaitesDesParents tour meets potential donors to answer their final questions and convince them to make an appointment to donate. Donation center professionals and associations are taking part in this operation alongside the Agence. Throughout the year, the relay of our messages by all our partners is essential to raise awareness among the general public and support potential donors in their efforts.

"Donating gametes is a generous act that enables families to be built. If you become a parent, you'll make a lot of people happy! With initiatives like the #FaitesDesParents campaign and tour, we want to encourage this essential solidarity and raise awareness among new donors throughout France", Marine Jeantet, General Manager.