DNA SURPRISE?

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

We advocate for people impacted by DNA surprises 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.

"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."

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Do you need to talk about MisattrIbuted Parentage?

Give us a call (323-825-5673) if you need to chat with someone who also had a DNA surprise, need advice about resources, or would like to be paired with a mentor (a fellow MPE to walk with you on your journey for a bit). Or request we reach out to you using the “323-Talk-MPE Contact Request” button below.

Give us a call, we're here for you, or...

**If you are thinking about suicide or worried about a friend, please call 800-273-8255 for immediate confidential support or dial 911.***

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LET'S TALK

Sunday Feb 6th, noon-1:30pm PST

We meet with a licensed mental health professional to discuss aspects of MPEs.

TOPIC: How to Come Back from Rejection

John Moyer, LPC

LET'S LEARN

Sunday Jan 23rd, noon-1:30 pm PST

We invite prominent professionals in their field to talk about various topics related to MPEs.

State of Affairs in Assisted Conception

MPE NARRATIVE

Peter J. Boni

January 15, 2022 No Comments

AUTHOR. ADVOCATE. ENTREPRENEUR “Misattributed” was a term totally unfamiliar to me. Misaligned, misinformed, misappropriated, and other “mis” words I comprehended. Only when I faced my

Mental Health

Discovering you have an MPE is a life-changing event. Call our hotline at 323-TALK-MPE if you need to talk, need access to resources, or would like to be paired with an MPE mentor.

Take a moment to review our support section.

RTK advocates for access to trained mental health professionals to assist people impacted by a DNA surprise or an MPE on the path to healing. Visit the MPE Counseling Directory to find a licensed therapist near you.

Meet our Mental Health Advisory Team.

EDUCATION

We offer a variety of educational opportunities for people who’ve discovered they have an MPE and to help the public at large understand the complexities of such a discovery. We have monthly webinars and community connection meetups, classes on MPE topics, and can assist you with finding the resources you need.

If you’ve just had a DNA surprise, review our “First Steps Guide” or read this Great article.

ADVOCACY

We advocate for people with an MPE (adoptees, people conceived through assisted reproduction, and those with a non-paternity event) to promote our right to know our genetic identity to effect legislative and administrative change. Medical guidelines must be updated to reflect this right. Fertility fraud laws need to be enacted now making it a crime and to provide a clear path for a civil cause of action for any aspect of fraud in assisted reproduction. Any doctor who uses his own sperm should lose his license.

HERE is a list of states that have passed fertility fraud laws and where laws are proposed. We need your advocacy.

Visit Donor Deceived to learn more about fertility donor fraud.