In each ejaculation there are more than 100 million sperm cells, sometimes up to 300. Theoretically, one is enough for a woman to become pregnant.
For many couples, donor sperm is salvation. For others, it is a profitable industry.
A 41-year-old Dutchman was sentenced on Friday for exploiting the system and its flaws.
The threat of a million fine
According to the court in The Hague, the Dutchman became the biological father of more than 550 children worldwide, over a period of 15 years, he writes. BBC.
He is now doomed to stop donating sperm. If he challenges this, he will risk nearly NOK 1.2 million in fines – per putt.
He is not allowed to contact prospective parents to offer his services, nor to “advertise” offers on the Internet or in social media.
The court is taking the case especially seriously, given the scope and the fact that it increases the chance that half-siblings or people in the immediate family will end up as a future spouse – and have children together.
“He deliberately lied to convince the parents to accept him as a donor. These parents are now aware that their children are part of a sibling network consisting of hundreds of children,” the ruling reads, according to CBS.
Stricter in Norway
In Norway, a sperm donor can father children in a maximum of six families.
In the Netherlands, the limit is 25 children, with a maximum of 12 families.
Just over five years ago, the 41-year-old was denied entry to Dutch clinics, after it was known that he was the biological father of more than 100 children.
Then he started donating sperm abroad, including in Denmark – and online.
Here you can read more about the laws and regulations that apply to sperm donation in Norway:
NRK
Explain
This is what Norwegian law says about sperm donation
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Who can donate sperm in Norway?
You must be registered in the National Register of Citizens and of legal age. You should preferably be between 25 and 45 years old. You must also tell us about your physical and mental health and the health of your family – and you will be examined.
What kind of tests should I have?
You cannot be aware of hereditary diseases in the family, and then you will be screened for certain infectious diseases. You can’t take drugs. You must provide a semen sample, which will show if the sperm is of satisfactory quality.
How often should I ejaculate?
Each donor is expected to show up 10-15 times to donate sperm.
What will the child know about me?
In Norway, sperm donation is open, meaning the sperm donor is not anonymous. A person born with the help of sperm has the right to know your identity when the child turns 15.
What are my duties towards the child?
You have no rights or obligations to the child. You cannot obtain information about the identity of the child or the parents.
What will parents know about me?
The child’s parents do not know anything about you, but they are obliged to tell the child that he was created through a sperm donation.
Can I choose who gets my sperm?
You have no influence over who gets the sperm. Parents cannot influence who receives sperm from either, but if possible, the clinic should use a donor who looks like the parents as closely as possible.
Can I find out how many children I may have had?
You will not receive any information about the use of your own sperm, until a possible baby contact.
Is it possible to undo?
You can revoke your consent to the use of sperm for assisted reproduction at any time. If fertilization has already taken place, you can stop using the sperm in the future.
Do I get paid for sperm donation in Norway?
Commercial sale of germ cells is prohibited, but you will be reimbursed for stress and time spent on treatment, and will be reimbursed for travel expenses.
sources: Directorate of Health And Ulivol University Hospital
He said it would help
Now, according to the verdict, he must provide a list of all the clinics he visited, so that they can destroy the frozen sperm cells.
The 41-year-old said in court that his motive was only to help those who were unable to conceive children on their own.
In the Netherlands, it is common to get around NOK 400 for a sperm donation, but clinics often require you to donate at least four times a month.
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