In July 2026, ESHRE published a position paper on international limits for the number of offspring linked to a single gamete donor. The proposal aims to move Europe toward more consistent principles.

The paper places the wellbeing of donor-conceived people at the centre and discusses psychosocial issues, treatment access, traceability and regulation. ESHRE argues that limits should be expressed in terms of families rather than only individual children.

An evolving European debate

The proposal does not replace national laws but seeks to provide a common reference point. Implementation will depend on national authorities and legislation, so the policy discussion remains open.

Source: ESHRE position paper on international donor offspring limits, July 2026.