Children born as a result of sperm donation often suffer devastating feelings of shock, betrayal and confusion when they are told of their origins, new research showed today.

The study raises serious questions about how much information people should be able to find out about the sperm donors who "father" them.

And the research, published in the journal Human Reproduction, also highlights the trauma faced by some people when they learn that they were born through donor insemination (DI).

Psychologists from the University of Surrey questioned 16 adults from the UK, the US, Canada and Australia who knew they had been conceived by DI.

Counselling psychologist Amanda Turner said: "Although there was little in common about the time, the place or the way that the participants learned of their background, many reported feeling shocked.

"It was clear that some felt their whole identity was threatened. The right to know their genetic origin was a common theme with all but one of the participants and many had recourse to fantasy about their donor fathers as a Ôcoping strategy'."

One woman said: "I felt my entire life was based on a lie and I was furious with my mother for dying with this secret."

Another said: "I was shocked and unforgiving. I now have a total distrust for my mother and have realised that it is very hard for me to trust someone else."

All 16 adults had made enquiries about searching for their donor fathers when they discovered their origins.

But in all the countries involved in the study, children of donors have no right to know their biological father's identity.

Under UK law, at the age of 16 people can ask the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) if they are related to a person they intend to marry, and at 18, they can find out if they were conceived by DI.

But no details can be given about the sperm donor, although the Government is considering whether more information should be made available.

Many of the people questioned in the study were angry that they could not find out more.

One said: "How could doctors think that we wouldn't need or want some honest answers about our heritage?

"Without all this information, I will never feel complete."

Ms Turner added: "It was clear that these donor offspring perceived a sense of abandonment of responsibility by their donor fathers and the medical profession.

"They expressed a need and a right to know who their donor fathers are and, if possible, to have some sort of relationship with them.

"It seems that 'non-identifying' information may not be sufficient to meet their needs."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said: "We are considering whether more regulations should be made under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act about whether the HFEA should provide more information, but no decision has yet been made. A consultation may be launched later this year."

But Tim Hedgley, chairman of the infertility support group ISSUE, said: "I have been a sperm donor and I did it in the knowledge that all my details would remain anonymous.

"I donated sperm to help people who wanted to have a baby of their own, not to have 10 more children myself, and I do think that while this whole issue is changing very rapidly, we need to remember why people donate sperm."

He added: "I feel very sorry for these people who have been shocked to learn they were conceived by DI.

"We have always advised people to tell their children as early as possible where they came from and to talk about it openly."

ISSUE can be contacted on 01922 722 888.