Anonymous sperm and egg donation is over because of the rise of genetic testing at home, says new research

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. One of its authors, genealogist Debbie Kennett, from University College London's Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, said: "Fertility clinics need to develop robust guidelines and procedures that enable them to integrate subsequent genomic data into their existing consent agreements. More than three million people worldwide are already said to have signed up for private genetic testing, often via online companies and without taking advice from health professionals. Co-author Professor Joyce Harper, from University College London's Institute of Women's Health, said: "DNA tests are increasingly being used to solve unknown parentage cases for adoptees and donor-conceived persons. Dr Dan Reisel, from University College London's Centre for Ethics in Women's Health, said: "These concerns make urgent a wide-ranging societal conversation about how to best safeguard and promote the interests of donor-conceived offspring and protect the rights of donors."