DistantNews
Support us
Sperm donor who fathered at least 121 children involved in law evaluation
🇳🇱 Netherlands /Culture & Society

Sperm donor who fathered at least 121 children involved in law evaluation

From NRC Handelsblad · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A mass sperm donor named Simon, from the Groningen region, has fathered at least 121 children, with the number expected to rise.
  • The Ministry of Health was aware of Simon's status as a mass donor in 2017 but allowed him to participate in a committee evaluating artificial insemination laws two years later.
  • The donor allegedly sought direct contact with intended mothers, sent sexually suggestive messages, and was involved with a website connecting donors and mothers, reportedly collaborating with other known mass donors.

A mass sperm donor, identified as 43-year-old Simon from the Groningen region, is reported to have fathered at least 121 children, a number expected to increase as more parents come forward. This revelation has sparked outrage, particularly concerning his involvement in a committee that evaluated laws surrounding artificial insemination.

So probably this number will increase further.

— Ties van der MeerChairman of the Donorkind Foundation, commenting on the number of children fathered by the mass donor Simon.

Shockingly, the Ministry of Health was informed about Simon's status as a mass donor as early as 2017. However, two years later, he was appointed to a "guidance committee" tasked with providing input on the official evaluation of the artificial insemination law. Care Minister Sophie Hermans expressed regret, stating that such an individual should never have been part of the committee.

According to Ties van der Meer, chairman of the Donorkind Foundation, Simon donated sperm at seven different banks. More concerningly, he actively sought direct contact with intended mothers, often through social media platforms like Facebook, where he reportedly remains active. Reports also suggest he sent sexually suggestive messages to intended mothers.

Nevertheless, this gentleman should never have been allowed to sit on the guidance committee.

— Sophie HermansCare Minister, expressing regret over the mass donor's inclusion in the law evaluation committee.

Van der Meer further revealed Simon's alleged involvement with a website that facilitated contact between donors and intended mothers. This site, presented as being run by a lesbian couple, was reportedly managed by Simon and other mass donors, including Jonathan Meijer, who gained international notoriety through a Netflix documentary for fathering numerous children.

It is shocking that the ministry took no action after being informed.

— Ties van der MeerChairman of the Donorkind Foundation, criticizing the ministry's inaction.

The foundation is preparing a civil lawsuit against Simon, similar to one previously filed against Meijer, which resulted in a court order prohibiting further donations under penalty of a substantial fine. Van der Meer stressed the need for urgent legislative action to address fertility fraud, advocating for criminal prosecution of both clinics and individuals involved.

There must now be rapid work on legislation with which fertility fraud can also be criminally prosecuted. Fraud by clinics and by persons.

— Ties van der MeerChairman of the Donorkind Foundation, calling for stricter laws against fertility fraud.
About this summary

Originally published by NRC Handelsblad in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog