Years ago, Dylan Stone-Miller donated sperm to subsidize his college tuition. Recently, he discovered he is the father of at least 97 children. Twelve years after “donating,” he was contacted by a parent who had conceived with his sperm. Stone-Miller was emotionally overwhelmed to learn about a child he did not know. He is now searching for all his children and asking their families if he can be part of their lives.  

The story underscores how we employ reproductive technologies without considering the rights and wellbeing of children. Dramatic developments in medical technology have long outpaced our ethics, moving forward based on what we can do without sufficiently considering what we should do. This has dangerous consequences.  

Anonymous sperm donation has particular consequences for kids who are abandoned by their biological dads, often grow up with incomplete medical records, and even may unknowingly encounter biological half-siblings. 

We rightly condemn anonymous fathering in every other circumstance. Adult desires do not justify it in this one. 

This Point was previously published on February 7, 2024.