Woman sues to find sperm-donor father

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A Canadian law that protects the identities of anonymous sperm and egg donors is being challenged by a woman who wants to know her biological father's name.

Olivia Pratten, who was conceived and born in British Columbia and now lives in New York, filed a class action suit that challenges the provincial law that says doctors and clinics must only retain donor records for six years, the National Post reported.

The suit contends Canada's equality rights are being compromised, as records relating to adopted children are preserved, while artificially inseminated children can lose their biological history at a doctor's discretion.

One of the 26-year-old's attorneys, Sean Hern, told the Post the secrecy deprives her and others of genetic and medical information that could prove crucial to their health.

The doctor who oversaw Pratten's conception, has refused to release the name of her biological father, saying when the man provided the sample in 1981, it was with the understanding he would remain anonymous, the Post said.

The British Columbia Supreme Court Tuesday ruled no artificial insemination documents be destroyed until the court has made a judgment, the newspaper said.