A man has been left gobsmacked after discovering he has at least 35 half siblings after taking a DNA test to learn more about his 'secret' conception. He explained how his mum went down the sperm donor route after struggling to conceive - but kept it a secret from him throughout his childhood.
While he understands why she kept it from him, he wishes she shared the truth sooner as "it's really important to know for genetic disease and to avoid incest". Taking to Reddit, he said: "It was the hardest for my actual dad because he didn’t know. I don’t attach that much emotion to biological paternity, all the dad credit goes to my real dad who raised me."
Since taking the DNA test, the man has tracked down his biological father and 35 of his half siblings who met after taking their own tests. "There are probably many more out there," he added. "I’d love to [meet them] - they had a reunion with our donor last summer. We’re (donor + half sibs) are in a group chat so that’s been great.
"He [biological father] doesn’t get on Facebook much, so we haven’t spoken directly. I don’t really plan to approach him or anything but I’m looking forward to getting to know them.
"He has been super kind and willing to meet everyone. It’s cool to have new friends/family!"
But that's not the only piece of information to come out of his DNA test, as he also claims that he discovered he has more Neanderthal DNA than most others who have used the service.
His results read: "You have more Neanderthal DNA than 66 per cent of other customers. Neanderthals were prehistoric humans who interbred with modern humans before disappearing around 40,000 years ago."
Commenting on his post, one user said: "Very interesting. I have often wondered about the effects of DNA testing on sperm donation.
"I'd have to imagine that the rate that people donate will have to go down since it is impossible to stay anonymous now.
"And for the kids born of these donors, how are they supposed to process having so many siblings?"
Another user added: "As someone who found 12+ siblings at least as an adult. .. it's weird. I can't imagine having 35!
"At least for me now, if they're not near me and near my age, or unless they're very interested in connecting, I'm not too invested in whatever potential relationship could be there because there's just too many."
A third user said: "In the UK at least sperm donors can only donate to 10 families by law.
"There are ways around that (donating unofficially to friends with no paperwork and lying about it) but the vast majority do stick to the rules as there are consequences to donating unofficially - like being stung for child support.
"I would think that in the future the '10 families' rule would be expanded worldwide."
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