This is the story of a California based sperm donor Jeffery Harrison (Donor 150) who produced at least 14 biological children from the donation of his sperm over 20 years ago. As a sperm donor myself I am more than a little apprehensive of the future. How would any one react to a dozen or more children you never knew existed who have not only found each other but also want to meet you. Thanks to a donor sibling registry site in the US many children born as a result of egg and sperm donation may be able to not only track down each other but also may connect with their biological sperm/egg donor.

I am shocked. I have written previously about my experience of being a sperm donor and I am very proud that I may have helped some couples become families however I never even thought about the potential army of little Joslin’s knocking at my door. Do not misunderstand me in that I am happy for any child that may have been conceived as a result of my sperm donation to come and meet me. I even wrote that in my donor profile as I thought about myself being in the situation of those potential children and I would be extremely curious. 

After reading about donor 150 I did some digging and read over the contract I had signed 3 years ago. The contract stipulates that up to 10 children can be born as a result of my sperm donation. More if the couple want siblings for their children. Also the sperm can be frozen for 10 years before disposed of meaning I could be 29 before a child is born from the sperm I donated at 18. If at this time embryos’ are formed they may remain frozen for up to an additional 10 years. This could all mean that children could be born from sperm I donated at 18 when I am in fact almost 40. I may be a distinguished oldish man when I meet 18 year old children born as a result of a sperm donation I made at their age. 

I can check to see if these children do exist, however I don’t think knowing that I do or do not have biological offspring will bring me comfort. If I don’t then I will be forever checking to see if this status has changed. If I do then a bounty of other questions will burst into my mind. I don’t think all this thinking is healthy but writing this all down has certainly calmed my nerves.

If this does happen and one day I do have 10 or more genetic offspring who want to meet me then I will be very happy to meet them. It is only fair that they know where they came from. I really hope they are taller than me however. If there are any over 6ft I will be very surprised. 

Ben Joslin