This paper explores the social dimensions and, in particular, the social responsibilities of men and women who provide gametes for others. The implications of providing, receiving or being conceived by such gametes are considered within the context of the relationships between the involved parties. A fourth partyรhealth professionals and most notably doctorsรhave played a major part in the management of these relationships. Their traditional approach was to deยฎne clearly the boundaries between the providers, the recipient/s and the ospring, this being represented by the practice of secrecy and anonymity. Challenges to this traditional position are increasingly being made, most notably by the families that have resulted from the use of third-party gametes. It is argued that gamete providers need to take responsibility for their actions and that this increasingly means considering the rights and needs of the ospring. The contention of doctors that gamete providers would not be prepared to come forward unless they were guaranteed anonymity and secrecy is challenged by the presentation of data from studies that have sought the opinions of oocyte and semen providers on this issue.