Rare Genetic Ailment In 5 Kids Linked To One Sperm Bank Donor

[The Straight Story]

Rare Genetic Ailment In 5 Kids Linked To One Sperm Bank Donor

POSTED: 6:48 pm EDT May 19, 2006

PHILADELPHIA -- Four couples who used the same sperm bank now have a total of 5 children with a rare and dangerous genetic ailment -- all from the same sperm donor.

The children have a disease called severe congenital neutropenia. If it isn't treated, it can be fatal. But it's so rare, sperm banks don't test for it.

Children with the disorder don't have the type of white blood cells that kill bacteria, so they develop severe infections soon after birth.

An expert on the disease, writing in The Journal of Pediatrics, says, "The bottom line is, when you use a sperm donor you really don't know what you're getting."

http://www.local6.com/news/9247617/detail.html

[Deja Q]

1. Sadly, some people who have a boyfriend/hubby don't know either.

:(

[Momgonepostal]

2. That's for sure true!

Still, most husbands/boyfriends don't father as many children as a popular sperm bank donor might. Well, unless they are Wilt Chamberlain or that Arkansas dude with the 16 kids. :-)

[mikelgb]

3. In other words...

Sperm banks are like a box of chocolates...

[valerief]

4. Don't quote moron movies. Please! Thank you. n/t

[Ariana Celeste]

5. lol

n/t

[MissB]

6. There are lots of things that they don't test for.

Blood banks don't screen for every little thing either.