Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging app Telegram, has recently made headlines after being arrested in France. He also claims to have fathered at least 100 children.

The 39-year-old billionaire, known for his preference for privacy, was detained after French authorities issued an arrest warrant. They alleged he failed to adequately address illegal activities including drug trafficking, terrorism promotion, and fraud on his platform, according to a report by AFP.

Durov has shared that, despite not being married and choosing a solitary lifestyle, he has contributed to the world of parenthood by donating sperm anonymously, a method that sparks significant debate.

“There are certainly risks involved, but I do not regret my decision to donate,” Durov stated in a recent Telegram message. “The global shortage of healthy sperm has become a pressing concern, and I’m proud to have played a role in addressing this issue.”

While sperm donation has enabled numerous individuals to start families, the anonymous aspect has faced criticism from donor-conceived individuals who often grapple with the implications of having numerous half-siblings.

“Only those going through this can truly understand our experiences,” Jaclyn Frosolone shared with YSL News after discovering she was conceived through anonymous sperm donation, finding she has over 200 half-siblings from a DNA test. “It’s frightening to realize I’m not alone in this situation—there are so many of us with the same story.”

Pavel Durov’s motives for fathering over 100 children

Durov explained on Telegram that his motivation for becoming a sperm donor stemmed from a sense of duty to assist couples in having children.

He mentioned, “The clinic director informed me that there was a shortage of ‘high quality donor material’ and encouraged me to contribute more sperm to help couples,” claiming his donations have enabled over 100 couples in 12 different countries to conceive. He noted that one of the IVF clinics still has his sperm available for anonymous use.

Additionally, Durov expressed his intention to “open-source” his DNA, allowing his biological children to better connect with one another.

He further conveyed, “I aim to help eliminate the stigma around sperm donation and encourage more healthy men to contribute so families dealing with fertility challenges have better choices.” He advocates for challenging the status quo to make a positive change.

Concerns about anonymous sperm donation

Opponents of anonymous sperm donation argue that the practice leads to numerous complications for those conceived through it, often leaving them to navigate lifelong issues.

One significant concern is that a lack of donor transparency can hinder donor-conceived individuals from understanding their health conditions and addressing genetic medical issues. Even if they know the donor’s identity, there is no assurance the donor will engage or provide accurate health information.

Moreover, many sperm banks in the U.S. do not legally mandate tracking the number of families that use a specific donor, causing potentially serious risks. This can lead to donor-conceived people fearing unintended relationships with half-siblings or even unknowingly having children with a biological parent.

“I have several gay siblings who are likely to rely on donors to start their families,” Jamie LeRose, a half-sister of Frosolone, mentioned. “I would feel devastated if I found out one of them had a baby with our dad due to unawareness.”

This concern has also affected her dating experiences, noting: “At 23, I find it difficult to connect with people my own age because of the fear of whom I might be related to. I’ve even dated older men to avoid this.”

Jana Rupnow, a licensed therapist from Dallas, who has worked with donor-conceived individuals for over 14 years, previously shared her insights with YSL News.

Many individuals face an identity crisis upon discovering unexpected details about their family backgrounds.

Rupnow expressed, “Our health contributes to our identity. It’s crucial to process the shock of uncovering a different family history while also navigating the anxiety that comes with the uncertainty.”

Frosolone, along with other individuals conceived through donor sperm, aims to share their experiences. Their goal is to ensure that future generations born via anonymous sperm donation have greater access to essential information and protections.

“It has definitely affected me, but I’m working through it,” Frosolone previously shared with YSL News. “Going forward, I want to focus on helping others.”

Reported by: Eric Lagatta and Katie Camero, YSL News; Reuters