Community Chat

[golding76]

Anyone remember Dr. Cecil Jacobson, the obstetrician and fertility specialist who practiced in Vienna, Va.?  He fathered as many as 75 children.  To refresh your memory, here is the story:

https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/05/us/doctor-is-found-guilty-in-fertility-case.html

Dr. Jacobson was heavy-set and wore eyeglasses.  SNL spoofed this story by bringing out oodles of chubby kids wearing eyeglasses, mirroring Dr. Jacobson's look. 

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/deep-thoughts-drumsticks-to-dolphins/2724049?snl=1

[jackthebear]

this was a L&O story line 

[golding76]

I did not see it, but I guess it was this, jackthebear.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0629413/

[MalteseMomma]

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@151949 wrote:

I really do not understand where all this emotional trauma is coming from (except probably the lawyers imagination.)They were well aware there was donor sperm being used.
What's the difference that is was this doctor's instead of some college student?

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WOW!!!!  I do not believe  you think this is ok!!!!   There is a HUGE difference as long as the applicants did not agree on this!!!!!

[golding76]

Re the DNA testing, one of my sons jokes that they are going to clone me and send me to Mars. 

[Isobel Archer]

What I don't understand is why the doctor put his DNA info out there with Ancestry - knowing something like this could happen.

My DH's family had a similar situation.  Two neighbor children turned out to be their cousins.  Apparently their uncle was friendly with the neighbor.  My DH had always suspected this, but now everyone knows.  And there is some uproar.

I just sent mine off.  Wonder what surprises await.

[occasionalrain]

The parents didn't want just any donor and paid the clinic for a donor that met their specifications. The doctor cheated them, lied to them. What he did was outrageous and unethical.

[makena]

I wonder if people will have to start signing disclosures or something.  Another thing that bothers me is that family relatives are signing up for this stuff without the consent of parents, brothers and/or sisters

[sandy53]

Has anyone had ancestry testing done?  I have not, but my understanding is that it tells you your ethnicity (Northern European, Native American, etc.), not matching your DNA with any individuals.  DNA matching of the kind in the story sounds like what is done when someone is looking for an organ transplant.  It sounds mixed up to me.  I am skeptical.

[Isobel Archer]

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@sandy53 wrote:

Has anyone had ancestry testing done?  I have not, but my understanding is that it tells you your ethnicity (Northern European, Native American, etc.), not matching your DNA with any individuals.  DNA matching of the kind in the story sounds like what is done when someone is looking for an organ transplant.  It sound mixed up to me.  I am skeptical.

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You have the opportunity (but can opt out) of finding any DNA match that has registered (and also given consent to find matches.)