Parenting without being genetically connected

Althrough genetic transmission is a fundating factor of the family, parentality is a concept that can be constructed between a child and an adult out of any genetic connections. In the present article, we propose to review parentality when there is no, or partial, biological bonds between parents and children, which are the case in adoption and gamete donation. Indeed, the absence of full genetic connections together with the intervention of a third party (biological parents/donors) raise legal, ethical and social questions. The present paper explores European guidelines concerning conception through gamete donation and adoption, as well as reasons for choosing to undergo such process. Finally, particular attention is given to parental representations about the child, about themselves as parents, considering the influence of the donor/biological parents, the impact of secrecy and disclosure about the child’s origin and the development of the family identity.