DNA and Online Search Finds Birth Parent

stuyman writes "NewScientist is reporting that anonymous sperm donation is not so anonymous anymore. An enterprising 15 year old tracked down his biological father, an anonymous sperm donor, using an online genealogy service and an online information service."

Comments

A potentially ugly situation

[treff89]

This would be quite creepy if the (father) had never actually formally donated sperm. (ie. someone has picked up a condom or tissue, and impregnated themselves with the sperm.)

Re:He didn't need DNA to narrow the search down

[Buran]

Not necessarily. I'm adopted and I haven't had much luck using my birth parents' names. I'm now going to have to ponder whether I want to do somemthing like this, or whether I should. I don't know yet because I have no idea whether they would want to be contacted. (They were high-school students, though, so they may wonder what happened to the baby they gave up because they couldn't raise her... so I have a chance that they'd be interested).

Could lead to trouble

[Rethcir]

18 years, 18 years,
She got one of yo kids got you for 18 years

I can just picture someone tracking down an anonymous sperm donor and trying to get child support out of them. Or is this subject covered in the contract you sign at the clinic?

Not Anymore

[Kawahee]

"NewScientist is reporting that anonymous sperm donation is not so anonymous anymore. An enterprising 15 year old..."

What I'm noticing here is that these records have had to be held since around 1980... which suggests that it never really was that anonymous. I mean, back in 1990 you could still get DNA testing done (for a price).