MetaChat - Ms Kramer said that one sperm donor on her site learnt that he had 70 children.

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06 September 2011

Ms Kramer said that one sperm donor on her site learnt that he had 70 children. ''It's overwhelming and not what he signed up for." Freaky.

post by: moonshine at: 10:58 | 18 comments

You have to wonder if it's what he signed up for or not. I suppose you'd have to see his contract at the sperm bank - was there a guarantee of exclusive use of the sperm for just a few inseminations?

posted by Miko 06 September | 11:06

There's supposedly a donor with *150 children*! Can you imagine???

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 06 September | 11:46

It would be cool/terrifying to find out you have 150 siblings.

Can you imagine if all those mothers/parents went after donor dad for child support? From what I've read that may become a real concern for donors.

posted by deborah 06 September | 12:33

Yeah, this has always kinda been a concern of mine wrt donating. Once you give it away, it's not under your control anymore.

Still up for helping female friends, and I mean that in a sincere and non-pervy way

posted by Eideteker 06 September | 12:54

"He now keeps track of them all on a spreadsheet."

I kinda want some spreadsheet babies.

posted by mullacc 06 September | 12:55

They mention in the NYTimes article that since a lot of sperm donation and use is done locally, donors with lots of children increase the possibility of accidental incest between half-siblings who don't know they're related. Who knows how often that actually happens, but sounds ultra scary!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 06 September | 13:00

"accidental incest" - I have absolutely no scientific basis, but I suspect pheromones work to some degree to prevent such incidents.

posted by Ardiril 06 September | 13:34

Actually, Ardiril, the opposite can be true, I think. Genetic sexual attraction.

posted by gaspode 06 September | 14:37

(not that it is a really well-proven theory, but you know, it's out there.)

posted by gaspode 06 September | 14:38

I don't think they are quite opposite, and again, I can see how pheromones can be involved. I think we try to isolate too much rather than view holistically, with due respect to correlation and causation.

posted by Ardiril 06 September | 14:54

That incest seems to have only become generally accepted as taboo sometime after the 10th century also clouds the picture somewhat as to what is what.

posted by Ardiril 06 September | 15:42

Is accidental incest taboo?

posted by Obscure Reference 06 September | 16:33

Here's what the actual risks are associated with procreating via incest. All in all it seems that though there's a greater risk of two recessive genes combining, even that seems to be more a concern for isolated populations rather than single pair breeding.

posted by Miko 06 September | 16:54

Can you imagine if all those mothers/parents went after donor dad for child support? From what I've read that may become a real concern for donors.

This is the reason why I never donated. All it takes is a shift in mores, a few laws changed here and there and I'm on the hook for two decades' worth of support.

Or maybe the laws don't change at all. But I get sued for support anyway and the plaintiff chooses a sympathetic judge and the case drags on for several years, including appeals . . .

posted by jason's_planet 06 September | 19:46

went after donor dad for child support? - Who can then countersue for custody or visitation. It may be a theoretical problem, but generally people who can afford implantation won't be suing a guy who jacks off for $20 a pop.

posted by Ardiril 06 September | 20:20

Honestly, I don't see how anyone can donate their sperm or eggs to anyone they don't know well. How do you know your child will be properly cared for?

posted by Orange Swan 06 September | 20:56

went after donor dad for child support?

This is the reason why I never donated.

You can donate to a bank where buyers sign a release that says they will never come after the donor for support. They also aren't allowed to contact him, even if they figure out who he is.

posted by amro 07 September | 08:49

(I think this is most, if not all, banks actually. In the US, anyway.)

posted by amro 07 September | 08:50

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