There is an interesting lawsuit against a US sperm bank Xytex and its Ontario distributor, Outreach Health. At the center of the case is Donor 9623, James Christian Aggeles of Georgia, who claimed an IQ of 160, an undergraduate degree in neuroscience and a master’s degree in artificial intelligence. He also claimed that he was pursuing a PhD in neuroscience engineering. In reality, he was a formal mental patient with a felony conviction. His sperm was used to conceive at least 36 children in Canada, the US and Britain. The result is a $12 million lawsuit against the companies.
The truth about Aggeles was discovered in 2014 after an inadvertent disclosure by Xytex that included his email. The later Google search revealed the true identity and his past diagnosis for schizophrenia, narcissistic personality disorder, drug-induced psychotic disorder and significant grandiose delusions. It also revealed a conviction for a 2005 residential burglary resulting in eight months in jail.
Xytex’s President Kevin M. O’Brien insisted: “In this case, the donor underwent a standard medical exam and provided extensive personal and health information. He reported a good health history and stated in his application that he had no physical or medical impairments.”
However, the families insist that Xytex and Outreach Health continued to promote and sell the donor’s sperm even after the sperm bank was informed of the disclosures.
This is a horrific situation for these women and liability could produce a needed incentive for these companies to better screen donors. It hardly seems reasonable to rely on the representations of donors without further investigation. This is not eHarmony from a sperm bank with lasting implications for women.
What do you think?
Dear Professor Turley, Sometimes I feel like I’m reading the Drudge Report or the National Inquirer.
Independent Bob – the Drudge Report is a new aggregater. It usually has only headlines and a few photos.
Hi, my name is Clark Kent and I have a PHD in nuclear physics. I am also a world class brain surgeon. I am a kind loving philanthropist, My IQ is 210 and I am a chess master. I also have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
Clark – been looking for a bridge to buy. What’s your price?
Schizophrenia occurs in 1% of the general population, 10% (10x as likely) among the biological offspring of schizophrenics.
Telephone rings in the sprawling palatial offices of Acme Sperm Bank: “Good morning, this is Mildred at Acme Sperm Bank…how may I help you today.”
Caller: “Hello. My name is James ‘The Adonis Genius’ Aggeles. I got some sperm in a clean Coke can. How much can I get for it? You got a ‘subscription program’?”
What could possibly go wrong paying thousands of dollars for Acme’s “service?”
“Nothing to see here but a den of crotchety old men…”
Unlike you or these blinkered genetics gamblers, most of us are old enough to know that the Gods of the Copybook Headings must limp up to explain it once more.
I didn’t realize they just took your word for it. These mothers could be getting Charlie Manson’s sperm.
Brad Pitt look alike? Hardly. No problem attacking the mothers, I see. Not their husbands who only wanted the joy of raising a child with the woman they love. Never mind the doctor they expected to look after the interests of all involved.
Nothing to see here but a den of crotchety old men…what great father’s you must have all been. Did your children flee as soon as they could walk?
Add the mental problems of those that shop for kids from sperm banks to this donor and we have a whole new theme for horror movies, TV shows, etc.
This is not much different than shopping for inbred animals for pets. Except the poor dogs only have to contend with arthritis and deformed body parts. Someday this kid will have to come to terms with his origins. “Well kid, you were a designer baby that has a few flaws. We sued and made a packet of money. You will be on these meds for the rest of your life. Please try not to kill any children, parents, etc.”
I agree with bambam. But I think that women who go to sperm banks need mental exams and should be sterilized. Three generations of …..
Where is Justice Holmes. I cannot recall the ending to that phrase.
This opens up an excellent source for studying gene pool. For the next 30 years we need to follow the lives of the offspring. If it is a male child we should call it the baster boy syndrome. If it is a female child we should call it the no fun intended child left behind study. The mothers need to be studied. Were they bent and preferred a baster over a dong? Who bore witness to all this mess?
As for buying sperm from a company with the letter X in the name, one has to be critical of the sperm buyer.
As for the dork in the photo lets just call him a member of jerk offs anonymous.
Another graphic illustration of not being very careful about picking the sperm donor, be that in a bar or at the bank…
I don’t have sympathy for these women. They have commodified human reproduction, just like buying a new piece of furniture. So they may have a design defect in their property. I feel sorry for the children. They will have to survive a mother and or father who see them as damaged goods.
Well, at least he’s got a decent head of thick hair and a big toothy grin! The women could tell everyone that these psychotic and disturbed kids are all Kennedys. Who is gonna argue with that?
Seriously. What did these women expect could possibly happen when they decided to play Russian Roulette with anonymous sperm? Did they really believe that these guys, desperate and destitute enough to donate their sperm, for cash, were all Brad Pitt lookalikes, like the profiles declared? Did they really believe the profiles, which claimed that the donors were doctors and lawyers, who played several musical instruments and were fluent in five languages? If so, the kids are going to have some tainted genes from both sides, if you ask me. While I truly fear for the health and well-being of these children, since quite a few of the sperm donor’s health problems may be passed along to the innocent offspring, I have little to no sympathy for these women, who obviously viewed the creation of a new life with so little regard or concern. I would be willing to bet anything that these same women gladly spent more time and effort searching out the best deals on their cars or more time and effort in purchasing their respective homes than they ever spent in investigating or verifying the outlandish claims contained in these bogus profiles with regard to the sperm donors. Unfortunately, innocent children will pay with their lives and their health.
Ok. 99gus….
Your troglodytic drivel is foul smelling even at this distance. On the other hand it’s irrefutable evidence of a miracle. Hark, a conception in a family tree without branches.
As for the children born as a result of this travesty, I truly hope they are not so influenced by their history that a self-fulfilling “prophecy” takes hold. There are any number of kids who are issues of some tragic circumstances and make great contributions.
It’s too bad that the above referenced puppet has such a stench. That’s ok puppet…Miss Piggy probably loves you.
Do sperm banks rely on self disclosure? No criminal or mental health background checks?
Some mentally ill are incapable of distinguishing reality from fantasy. And, frankly, a lot if sane people would be tempted to inflate their credentials. Any deadbeat could claim to be an astrophysicist.
Crazy.
I find it ironic that sperm donors would not be disqualified for believing in the qu’ ran or the bible or advocating war or supporting the democrats or republicans. ( All these are psychotic beliefs )
Okay, girls …. nod your heads while your cheeks are bulging.
Just imagine that the sperm was donated the old fashioned way ….. after a night of drinking at a bar and the donor and donee retiring to a bedroom or an alley wall.
Does the sperm bank make any representations that it has verified the donor’s claims concerning his I.Q. and educational background, or do the buyers know that the bank does not investigate these claims at all?
Survival of the fittest via the turkey baster!
Not a great catch, but he’s still smart enough to spread his defective genes throughout the world many times over. It’s irony at its finest.