In Germany, approximately 100,000 children each year are conceived through sperm donation - either via a sperm donation bank or through a private sperm donor. Although donor children in Germany are legally entitled to know the identity of their father, there are currently many difficulties in data storage.
In interviews with sperm donors, donor children and recipients of sperm donations we found that donors often do not reflect until years later that the conceived children in most cases eventually feel a need for contact and, for example, also want to get to know their half-siblings. In addition, personal and health data about donors are currently only inadequately stored.
Based on the research results, we focused our product in supporting the rights of donor children. After all, knowledge about one's origins is an integral part of identity formation. To achieve this goal, we defined two focal points:
A simulation in the onboarding experience aims at promoting a well-reflected decision to donate sperm. Thus, reflection should not happen after the donation but already before the decision to donate by confronting the donor with situation-specific questions and potential future scenarios.
Blockchain technology offers a very good way of storing personal data through decentralized storage and secure encryption. This enables a secure exchange of data between all parties involved. While the donor is legally obligated to share certain master data, the donor child and mother can decide entirely for themselves which data they want to share and whether they are interested in contacting the donor.
The topic of sperm donation is an emotional and sensitive one on the one hand, and is of medical nature on the other. While transparency is especially important for the donor children, the security of the users' highly sensitive data must not be neglected. The design should suggest both transparency and trust.
At first, you can choose from which perspective you enter the platform. Thus, specific information is provided for the respective target group.
As an introduction, a simulation with potential future scenarios takes place. For example, the donor can reflect on what a potential future as a donor father might look like and what type of donation is right for him.
The central control element of the platform is the family tree view. The user can move around on a canvas where his donor children are displayed as white spheres. The donor can share information as well as view shared data about his donor children.
Before a donation is registered in the platform, it must be confirmed either by the sperm bank or, in the case of private donations, by the recipient with a generated code. In the case of private donations, the donor can also provide a certificate of his health data.
LifeLines enables donors and donor children to gain clarity about their genetic relationships. In addition, a simulation as part of the onboarding experience with potential scenarios is designed to drive the reflection process prior to sperm donation, as this often occurs after donation. LifeLines provides a space for safe information exchange and outreach.
Nominee in the category "New Talent" of the UX Design Award →