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A Dutch sperm donor fathered at least 550 children – now Jonathan M.* (41) is no longer allowed to donate sperm to unwanted childless people, according to a court ruling.
Violators risk a fine of 10,000 euros per case, the court in The Hague ruled on Friday. A lobby group and a mother who had had a child with M.’s sperm donation had applied for a court order against him and were now proved right.
He just wanted to help
The 41-year-old had donated his sperm to countless couples at fertility clinics, sperm banks and also through internet forums. In at least 550 cases a child was conceived. According to his lawyer, the man unintentionally wanted to help childless couples. But the court ruled that he had deliberately misinformed parents about the number of his donations and the number of children he had fathered.
In the Netherlands, sperm donors are allowed to father a maximum of 25 children in 12 families. This limit is intended to prevent incest. Because if half-siblings have children together, the risk of genetic changes is high.
Sperm stores are destroyed
M. was able to circumvent the rules because there is no central registration for sperm donors. It is not known how many children the man fathered abroad.
The man is now no longer allowed to offer himself as a donor on the internet. He must also disclose which fertility clinics and sperm banks around the world he has provided sperm to. The court ruled that the stocks should be destroyed. (nad/SDA)
* Name known
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
