Sperm donations raise ethical questions about family outcomes

Reports say Russian billionaire Pavel Durov has offered frozen sperm through his clinic and claims to have fathered about 100 children, while Chinese billionaire Xu Bo is reported to have arranged more than 100 U.S.-born children via surrogacy; the article raises ethical concerns about responsibility for mothers and children.

The article reports that Russian billionaire Pavel Durov has made frozen sperm available worldwide through his Altra Vita clinic and says his sperm has fathered at least 100 children in at least 12 countries. It also reports that Chinese billionaire Xu Bo has used U.S. surrogacy to father more than 100 children. The piece is written by an infertility specialist who practiced from 1968 to 1995 and who describes long experience with patients seeking fertility treatment. The author frames these developments as raising ethical questions about how women and children are treated by international fertility services. Key reported details: - Pavel Durov is reported to have offered frozen sperm via Altra Vita and to have fathered at least 100 children in at least 12 countries. - Xu Bo is reported to have arranged more than 100 children through U.S. surrogacy, and the article notes that babies born in the United States are citizens under the 14th Amendment. - The author identifies as an infertility specialist with clinical experience beginning in 1968 and involvement in early non-university IVF programs. - The article raises concerns that international fertility services may exploit vulnerable women and leave open questions about long-term responsibility and support for the resulting children. Summary: The reports point to an expanding international fertility marketplace and prompt ethical questions about informed consent, responsibility, and the long-term welfare of mothers and children. Undetermined at this time.