Netherlands: Sperm donor being sued after fathering hundreds of children

The legal action in the Netherlands has been brought by a mother and the Donorkind Foundation on the basis that clinical guidelines recommend a maximum of 25 children or 12 families for sperm donors.

This recommendation exists to prevent inbreeding, incest and psychological problems for donor children, the Donorkind Foundation – which represents the interests of donor children – said this week.

Eva, a mother who chose the man as a donor in 2018, said he had falsely promised to father no more than 25 children, but had subsequently discovered he had delivered his sperm hundreds of times to at least 13 clinics in the Netherlands and abroad.

“Going to court is the only way to protect my child,” she said.

Mark de Hek, the lawyer representing Eva and the Donorkind Foundation, said: “This behaviour is dangerous for the mental well-being and health of donor children.

“By privileging his reproductive urge, the donor is acting unlawfully. In addition, he violates the agreements with the clinics and with the prospective parents, because they trusted his promise that he would father a maximum of 25 children.”