ChicMe WW

Sperm donor fathered 15 children despite knowing he had an incurable genetic condition

By April Glover|

A British man who advertised his sperm online to same-sex couples failed to tell the mothers about his incurable genetic condition, a court has heard.

James MacDougall, 37, fathered 15 children with women after connecting with them on Facebook, despite knowing he had a disease named Fragile X syndrome.

His identity was revealed in a family court battle in Derby, United Kingdom, after MacDougall applied for parental responsibility and child arrangement orders for four of his children, The Mirror reports.

READ MORE: Prince Andrew 'seeking to make amends' after settling sex abuse case Archbishop of Canterbury says

James MacDougall sperm donor
James MacDougall claims to have fathered 15 children through private sperm donation. (Facebook)

READ MORE: Queen to mark first major milestone without her 'beloved' Philip

The family court heard MacDougall placed an advertisement on a social media page for lesbian women seeking sperm donors.

In the UK, it is legal for a person to donate sperm as part of a private arrangement.

If a woman uses a licensed fertility clinic, the donor will have no legal rights or responsibilities to any children born with their sperm, eggs or embryos.

MacDougall claims to have fathered 15 children as a result, aged between four and a few months old.

He applied to have contact with four of his children in court, where his inheritable genetic condition was revealed. Three of the mothers have opposed MacDougall's application to have contact with his donor children.

Fragile X causes a range of developmental problems including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment.

healthy pregnancy. Side view pregnant woman with big belly advanced pregnancy in hands. Banner copyspace for text. Elegant mother waiting baby
The women sought out sperm donation on social media. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

READ MORE: Adelaide mum's moment of truth: 'I was feeling awful'

MacDougall was described in court as a "complex character" who suffered from learning difficulties and was on the autistic spectrum.

The court judge Justice Nathalie Lieven released MacDougall's name in a bid to stop other women from using him as a private sperm donor.

She said she had "no confidence" MacDougall had stopped donating sperm or that he would clearly and fully explain his inheritable condition to other prospective mothers.

"There is a very specific benefit in his being named in the hope that women will look him up on the internet and see this judgment," the judge said.

She also ruled MacDougall should not have any responsibility for the children he was seeking contact with, as it would cause them harm.

In a written judgment, Justice Lieven said MacDougall showed "fundamental responsibility" by acting as a sperm donor and described his actions as "taking advantage" of the women's desire to have children.

MacDougall's name was released so other prospective women who find him online will see the judgement. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

READ MORE: Sami Lukis: 'How much of a deal-breaker should politics be in dating?'

According to the New York Post, one woman, identified as SW, had two children with MacDougall's sperm.

The three-year-old child is nonverbal and has "challenging behaviour" due to the inherited Fragile X condition, the court heard.

Justice Lieven said the women were irresponsible to use MacDougall as a sperm donor without making the proper enquiries, however noted they were "desperate" for children.

She refused his application for parental responsibility and contact with the children.?

For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here

Royals who have cheated during their marriages

Auto news: 'This is the most annoying thing about drivers in Australia.'