Sperm donors need limits, says a European fertility group

A growing concern among donor-conceived individuals and fertility experts is the lack of international regulations governing sperm donation. This issue came into focus recently when a European fertility organization called for stricter limits on the number of children a single donor can contribute to. The call follows reports of donor-conceived people discovering they have hundreds of siblings, often without knowing until later in life. The problem arises from the ability of sperm to be frozen and stored for extended periods, sometimes decades, before being used. This practice allows for the creation of numerous offspring from a single donor, which can lead to complex family dynamics. For example, Ties van der Meer, a 47-year-old man from the Netherlands, was conceived using sperm from an anonymous donor. When the Netherlands banned anonymous donations in 2004, the clinic that handled his conception destroyed records that could have identified the donor. Van der Meer described this situation as problematic, emphasizing the importance of children having the right to know their biological parents. Van der Meer managed to locate one sibling, who helped him trace his father and other genetic relatives. However, he believes there may be more siblings he will never meet. Other donor-conceived individuals have faced similar challenges, with some discovering they have dozens or even hundreds of half-siblings. These experiences have led to feelings of being “mass-produced” among some individuals, highlighting the emotional impact of such discoveries. At a recent conference in London, representatives from a European fertility organization proposed implementing a Europe-wide limit on the number of children a single donor can contribute to. While several countries, including the United Kingdom, have already banned anonymous donations, enforcement remains challenging due to the global nature of sperm banking. Genetic testing services and online registries have further complicated matters by enabling donor-conceived individuals to uncover their biological connections more easily than ever before. One notable case involves Jonathan Meijer, a Dutch man who began donating sperm in 2007. His contributions resulted in the conception of between 550 and 600 children. Following pressure from Stichting Donorkind, a foundation advocating for donor-conceived individuals chaired by Van der Meer, Meijer was ordered to cease donations in 2023. This incident underscores the potential risks associated with unregulated sperm donation practices. Another concerning aspect is the possibility of genetic mutations being passed on to multiple offspring. Although most donors undergo rigorous screening processes, instances have occurred where harmful mutations have affected numerous children. In Denmark, a man's sperm was found to carry a genetic mutation linked to an increased risk of cancer. Despite this discovery, his sperm had already been used to conceive at least 197 children across Europe, some of whom developed cancer and tragically died. Currently, several countries impose legal limits on the number of children a single donor can contribute to. For instance, in Malta and Cyprus, both egg and sperm donors are restricted to contributing to the birth of only one child. In contrast, the United Kingdom sets a limit of 10 families per donor. However, enforcing these limits proves difficult, especially since donated gametes frequently cross borders. In Denmark, while the national limit is set at 12 families, the country exports a significant portion of its sperm donations, with over half of the UK's sperm donations in 2020 originating from Denmark or the United States. Experts argue that the only viable solution to ensure consistency and protection for donor-conceived individuals is the establishment of a transnational limit. Such measures would address the complexities arising from the globalization of reproductive technologies and provide clearer guidelines for managing the ethical implications of sperm donation. As discussions continue, the focus remains on developing policies that balance the rights of donor-conceived individuals with the availability of reproductive assistance for those seeking it.