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FALMOUTH, MA, January 23, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — In mystery story fashion, Uprooted: Family Trauma, Unknown Origin, and the Secretive History of Artificial Insemination, published by Greenleaf Book Group Press on January 25, 2022, Peter J. Boni shares his personal odyssey and acquired expertise upon learning in 1995 that he was conceived via an anonymous sperm donor. He advocates for regulatory oversight of the multibillion-dollar reproductive industry that conceives hundreds of half-siblings from a single donor—children and adults who are unaware of the existence of their half-siblings.
Now recognized as an Amazon best-seller in several categories, Uprooted has earned critical acclaim and several prestigious book awards: 2022 Best Book, Narrative Nonfiction (American Bookfest); 2023 National Indie Excellence Award; 2023 Gold Medalist, Nonfiction Audiobooks (Independent Publisher’s); and 2023 Honorable Mention, Nonfiction Social Issues (Reader’s Favorite).
To mark the anniversary, Amazon is selling a Kindle version of Uprooted for $.99 (list price $9.99) during the last week of January; Goodreads will be hosting a 100 ebook February giveaway to its readers.
In 2010, The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the primary Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) industry trade association, estimated a one million donor-conceived population, increasing by 30,000 to 60,000 annually thereafter. Using the midpoint of that range, the donor-conceived population has grown 50% since 2010, and now totals over 1.5 million people. Since secrecy has been the prevailing industry practice, most donor-conceived people are not even aware of their status. There are no laws requiring donor identity, genetic testing or health history; no limits to the number of offspring per donor; no sibling registry; no mandated donor or recipient counseling regarding the needs of the donor-conceived, and no legal consequences for blatant fertility fraud…collectively what Peter terms “The Donor-Conceived Bill of Rights.”
As an ex high technology CEO and former special operations combat veteran, Peter’s approach is focused, disciplined and mission-oriented. Prior to Uprooted’s publishing, he established several goals. First, to positively impact the practice of Assisted Reproductive Technology; second, to influence the legislative agenda to bring regulatory oversight to ART in the form of that Donor-Conceived Bill of Rights; and third, to represent the emotional needs and well being of all late-discovery misattributed people, no matter the reason that their DNA and birth certificates do not match.
Since Uprooted’s debut, society’s awareness of fertility industry issues and ART legislation are on the uptick. Publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Atlantic have featured articles regarding ethical lapses in fertility industry practices. The 2022 Netflix documentary, “Our Father,” sensationalized Indiana fertility practitioner Dr. Donald Cline, who, without his patient’s knowledge, used his own sperm to inseminate nearly one hundred of them.
Peter often quotes his philosophy, “To run fast, run alone; To go far, go together.” He has been donating Uprooted’s earnings, along with his time and energy, to several advocates who share his goals. Among his allies are advocacy organizations The U.S. Donor-Conceived Council and Right to Know; Texas fertility fraud crusader Eve Wiley; and author and fertility counselor Jana Rupnow.
Thirteen states have, thus far, passed fertility fraud laws. In 2023, the ASRM developed a task force to take into consideration the donor-conceived in its ART practices. The ASRM has since released a supportive framework for fertility fraud legislation as a template for lawmakers. In January, 2024, the Uniform Parentage Act was reworded to require the identification of anonymous gamete donors to the donor-conceived. Colorado was the first state to approve the full Donor-Conceived Bill of Rights, to become effective in 2025. Other states are contemplating similar legislation. Now in consideration by U.S. Congress is H.R. 452, Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act, to establish a new federal criminal offense for knowingly misrepresenting the nature or source of DNA used in assisted insemination.
“I am very humbled by the recognition my book has received and feel hugely gratified that Unrooted has begun to achieve some of those lofty goals.” Peter has been delivering his message throughout numerous speaking engagements and conferences to fertility clinics, support groups for the donor-conceived and other misattributed people, varying town libraries and genealogical societies. He has testified before several state legislatures and has been featured in dozens of podcasts in his quest to raise awareness to influence the practice and governance of donor-conception.
Among his currently supported projects are: an award-winning PBS documentary, “Missed Conception,” by Donna Marvin-Platt, scheduled for a spring 2024 premier; and “The Complete Picture,” the first ever rock musical about donor-conception, by Erin Maya, who is working towards its New York City theatrical debut.
Peter concluded, “Victory has many fathers; mothers, too. While we’re off to an encouraging start, I aspire for federal legislation to make The Donor-Conceived Bill of Rights the law of the land.”
Peter is available for interviews and will answer questions.
Contact
Peter J. Boni
Email: peter@peterjboni.com
Tel: (617) 513-9744
Web: www.peterjboni.com
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