DNA SURPRISE?

Advancing our fundamental human right to know our genetic identity through education, mental health initiatives, and advocacy.

We support people impacted by DNA surprises, genetic identity issues, and misattributed parentage experiences (MPE) which can occur due to an adoption, assisted conception, or those conceived from a non-paternal event (NPE) and promote understanding of the complex intersection of genetic information, identity, and family dynamics.

We encourage engagement to facilitate and create real change and are an inclusive organization that assists everyone impacted by genetic identity issues including adoptees, donor-conceived, people with an NPE, birth parents, gamete providers, new genetic family, recipient parents, and raising families. In learning and growing from each other, we must put the voices of adoptees, donor conceived, and people with an NPE first.

"I would have never dreamed how much Right to Know would change my life and my family's in such a short time. They helped to fill the void that was created by a DNA test. There is nothing worse than feeling like everything is hopeless, but they were able to make me feel whole again."

"It's so simple, but so powerful: right to know. Who'd have thought personal identity would be so controversial, and so important? The people behind RTK are kind, and fierce, because they know the unsettling experience of genetic bewilderment firsthand. I am so proud of the work they are doing, and know that whenever I need support, they are a trusted resource."

"You've spent your whole life with the consistent feeling that you don't belong. Then a DNA test confirms your truth and you feel alone more than ever, until you find your peer group at Right to Know. We are all just walking each other home—wherever that might be."

“It’s not homophobic nor transphobic to say that every human deserves basic right to their identity. We don’t need to estrange our children from their genetic identity to embrace our identities and to have children. At the time of the creation of my children, I had no awareness that an anonymous gamete provider would estrange them from their genetic identity and kin. Know better, do better."

"Lies only create more lies and shroud the light of TRUTH in darkness. Even though the light can be painful from eyes that have been shielded , knowing WHO you really are is the only path to freedom. Right to Know has been the welcoming beacon to a safe harbor during my emotional storm."

"Truth should never live in the abstract. Every child has the Right To Know who their biological families are. With that knowledge comes the ability to fundamentally understand who we are and without that discernment, we stand to anonymously wonder who we could have been. The Right To Know organization’s mission is steeped in the purest form of humanity and should be supported at the highest level possible."

"There’s been a dearth of resources to lift up and inform individuals who’ve been rocked by a DNA surprise and left reeling—misunderstood and with nowhere to turn. Right to Know is rapidly filling the void with a broad range of supportive and educational initiatives. It aims high and offers compassion, fellowship, and practical tools to individuals who are suffering. In a short time, it has empowered people who’ve felt powerless, brought together those who’ve felt alone and unheard, and is making a significant difference in the lives of the ever-growing community of those with genetic identity concerns."