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A group of sperm cells moving toward an egg

Jonathan Jacob Meijer, a 41-year-old Dutch musician, may have merely been doing a kind and generous act when he first started donating his sperm to help hopeful parents. But where does generosity become creepy? And when does the creepy become unlawful?

lawsuit was recently filed against Meijer, who is allegedly a serial sperm donor, by the Donorkind Foundation, a Dutch organization advocating for the interests of donor-conceived children, their parents, and prospective parents. The lawsuit alleges that Meijer has admitted to fathering over 550 children through his prolific sperm donating activities but that the real number is likely between 800 and 1,000. The lawsuit also enters new legal territory, arguing that Meijer caused tangible harm based on an increased risk of incest and inbreeding.

Repeat offender. Meijer has hardly been discreet about his prolific sperm donation numbers. Back in 2017, after several complaints, the Dutch Ministry of Health located at least 102 of Meijer’s offspring as a result of his donations through multiple clinics. This was despite Meijer having an agreement with each clinic that he was not...