TLDR

• Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, claims to have fathered over 100 children through sperm donation
• Durov has been donating sperm for 15 years across 12 countries
• Elon Musk responded to Durov’s claim, calling it “rookie numbers” compared to Genghis Khan
• Durov plans to “open-source” his DNA to help his biological children find each other
• The tech mogul’s revelation highlights global sperm shortages and ethical concerns around mass donation

Pavel Durov, the 39-year-old CEO of messaging platform Telegram, has made headlines with a surprising announcement. In a post on his own platform, Durov claimed to have fathered over 100 children through sperm donation over the past 15 years.

Durov’s journey into sperm donation began when a friend asked for help conceiving a child due to fertility issues. Initially amused by the request, Durov visited a clinic where he learned about the scarcity of “high quality donor material.” The clinic director framed donation as a “civic duty,” leading Durov to become a regular donor.

Today we learned that the Telegram CEO, Pavel Durov, has over 100 biological children. pic.twitter.com/B7G7slDyZ3

— Autism Capital (@AutismCapital) July 29, 2024

According to Durov, his contributions have helped more than 100 couples across 12 countries conceive children. The tech mogul stated that he has since stopped donating, though an IVF clinic still has his frozen sperm.

The revelation sparked immediate reactions, including a response from Tesla CEO Elon Musk. On social media platform X, Musk commented, “Rookie numbers,” referencing Genghis Khan, who is believed to have fathered hundreds of children. Musk himself is father to 12 known children, though not through sperm donation.

Durov’s claim aligns with reports of global sperm shortages. Increased demand for donor sperm, driven by various factors including infertility issues and same-sex couples seeking to start families, has outpaced supply in many regions. Regulatory challenges and cultural factors contribute to this shortage.

The concept of mass sperm donation isn’t without precedent or controversy. In a recent case, a Dutch man was sued for allegedly fathering at least 550 children worldwide. This lawsuit aimed to prevent further donations due to concerns about accidental incest and the mental health of donor children.

To address potential issues, Durov announced plans to “open-source” his DNA. This would involve making his genetic information publicly accessible, potentially allowing his biological children to find each other more easily. Open-sourced DNA could have various applications, including contributions to genetic research and personalized medicine.

However, Durov’s revelation raises ethical questions about mass sperm donation. Guidelines in some countries, like the Netherlands, limit donors to 25 offspring or 12 families to mitigate risks. Durov’s claim of over 100 children far exceeds these limits.

The Telegram CEO expressed a desire to “destigmatize the whole notion of sperm donation” and encouraged other men to follow suit. He framed his actions as a response to a global shortage of healthy sperm, stating he’s “proud that I did my part to help alleviate it.”

The post “Rookie Numbers” Telegram CEO Claims to Have Fathered 100+ Children Through Sperm Donation appeared first on Blockonomi.

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