Dutch national banned from donating sperm after over 500 offspring globally

Dutch national Jonathan Jacob Meijer has donated so many sperm samples globally that, as of spring 2023, the Dutch authorities banned him from continuing this practice. It is estimated that over 500 children have been born using his sperm, with some projections suggesting the number could even reach 1,000—an exceptionally high figure. The court has imposed a €100,000 fine on Meijer if he continues to donate sperm for fertility treatments in any country.

Meijer’s activities gained public attention following the release of the Netflix documentary “Father of a Thousand Children” in early July. Many of his offspring reside in the Netherlands, but Meijer has traveled and donated sperm in various countries, including Denmark, where sperm banks are utilized by Finnish fertility clinics.

Inquiries to fertility clinics and Meijer himself shed light on whether his sperm has been used in Finland. Clinics confirmed they have not utilized his samples. In Finland, there is a persistent shortage of donor sperm, leading to overseas imports, predominantly from Denmark.

Under Finnish law, sperm from one donor can be used for a maximum of five families, with all donor information recorded in a registry maintained by Valvira, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health. Jussi Holmalahti, director of Valvira’s health rights and safety department, noted that the limitation applies only to the donor themselves.

Meijer continues to create content on his official YouTube channel, sharing insights about his lifestyle and views despite the legal restrictions on his sperm donation activities. He claims he has not donated sperm since 2019 and expressed uncertainty about whether his samples were sent to Finland.