– I have been robbed. It is hugely offensive. Yes, it hurts. That’s what Bengt says to SVT. He is in the Swedish documentary Sperm-tyveri, which is part of the program series Uppdrag gränskning. – What is happening in my life? I am the father of a child who was born eight months before my daughter, he says. In the 80s, Bengt submits sperm for fertility testing, because he and his wife have problems having children. It is not until 31 years later that he finds out that the sperm has been passed on to a woman who wanted to have a child. The news comes as a bombshell. It turns out that he has an unknown daughter named Rebecka Kristoffersson. She was created with the help of sperm that had not been voluntarily donated. In SVT’s documentary Sperm-theft, Rebecka Kristoffersson and her mother find out who her real father is. Photo: SVT / SVT – So my sperm was used before I myself had the chance to become a father, says Bengt. – I understand that neither the child nor the mother have any fault whatsoever in this. But it was also a disturbance. Do they have a mum and dad, a good upbringing? “Who is responsible?” It all starts between the years 1985 and 1996 at Halmstad Hospital in southwest Sweden. SVT starts its investigation around 2022. There, all clues point to a doctor at the hospital in Halmstad who has now died. In addition, it turns out that there are several men in the same situation as Bengt. With the help of DNA tests and DNA genealogists, new biological fathers and children are discovered. The program reveals three siblings with three involuntary donors. But according to the hospital, around 35 donor children were born in the given period 1985–1996. At the same time, the doctor in question has stated that he deals with insemination in older newspaper articles, which has resulted in around 15 children. In total, there must therefore be at least 50 children where the doctor has been involved. Currently, there are five cases that can be proven as involuntary donation. Bengt’s biological daughter Rebecka Kristoffersson wishes the donation had been voluntary. – It’s a hell of a mess. I think it’s a shame that he (the doctor) is no longer alive and can be held accountable for what he has done, says Rebecka Kristoffersson. – Trist Granskingen is confronted by the head of the operations committee at the hospital in Halland municipality. They do not want to investigate the matter further. – It is clear that it is sad to know that something has gone wrong and that this business has not been at its peak when it was run, says Christian Lidén, head of the operating committee. The hospital cannot answer whether semen was used illegally on more occasions than the five cases reported. Swedish law states that assisted reproduction must be documented in a medical record by the responsible doctor and kept for at least 70 years. In addition, donor children have the right to obtain information about their biological father. All of Rebecka’s siblings were conceived with a sperm donor. Only Rebecka finds her real father in the documentary series. Photo: SVT / SVT Was misinformed In all reviewed cases, the children who exercised the right to find out their parentage were either misinformed or given no information from the hospital. In one case, a child contacted the wrong person before the real truth about biological parentage was known. Nevertheless, Halmstad Hospital will continue to provide information about the donors to donor children who make contact. – According to the law, we have a duty to hand over information that has been registered. So there is nothing we can do other than hand out the information that is available, says Christian Lidén.
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