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A central Tasmanian sperm and egg donor register is being recommended after a parliamentary committee heard of the "distress and anguish" that arises when children are unable to identify their biological parents.
A lower house committee chaired by Liberal Braddon MP Joan Rylah noted Tasmanians born through artificial insemination were often unable to find out the identity of their donor because records were lost or destroyed, or that their donor did not wish to be identified.
"For people conceived from donors prior to 2004, there is no legislated right to obtain identifying information about their donor, and for some even non-identifying information is not available as records were not kept," the report stated.
Ms Rylah said donor-conceived children had a right to know the background of their biological parents, which would include any health-related information.
"Through no fault of their own, these people are denied information about their identity, which is a right most people take for granted," she said.
"As it currently stands, there is no legislative framework for donor conception practices in Tasmania, such as allowing those using...