The medical ethical advice in the Nordic countries wants to see an international regulation to limit the number of children per sex cell donor, after several massive siblings have been discovered. Such a regulation is welcomed by Leontine Olsbjörk, who recently found out that she can have as many as 70 half siblings around Europe.
– It was a shock to find out that I was related to so many unknown people, she tells TV4 News.
It was in connection with a DNA test a few years ago that Leontine Olsbjörk found out that her half-siblings were probably many more than she first thought.
– I thought we would be twelve. Because that was the information my mother got in the 90s when she was in Denmark. We are probably many more than around 30 that we are now, probably up to 70, says Leontine Olsbjörk.
– We are mass -produced, she adds.
Want to see international regulation
Now the medical-ethical councils in the Nordic countries want politicians to work for joint regulation at European level, to limit the number of children per gender cell donor. At present, there is no international regulation in place, which means that sperm or eggs from one and the same donor can be used in several countries. In this way, the national restrictions and children that have been created with the help of a germ cell donor can have hundreds of genetic half -siblings spread throughout the world.
-In Sweden we have a limit of six families and it is reasonable to also get a limit at European level that is not so far from the national regulations so that is what we want to see, says Sven-Eric Söder, chairman of the Swedish Medical-Ethical Council.
– It can be a rather dramatic experience to suddenly say that you may have 50 or maybe 100 half siblings in different places, he adds.
For Leontine Olsbjörk, it was tumultuous to find out that she can have up to 70 half siblings.
– I ended up in an emotional storm. It was not only negative, but it was a shock to find out that I was related to so many unknown people, she says.
Feeling together with the half -siblings
Leontine’s new siblings are spread throughout Europe. They have not met yet, but have contact on social media. She believes that contact with the half -siblings can be important, as they can possess genetic similarities that have not necessarily existed in the family you grew up in.
– It can mean a lot to many that you get the opportunity to reflect yourself in someone else.
At the same time, she is clear that she had a very good upbringing, but that all of Europe should stop anonymous donors. Also, she does not consider to have children with the help of a donor as relevant.
– For me, it is important that everyone who is involved in creating a child also wants the child and the person it becomes, says Leontine Olsbjörk and adds::
– I already have so much unknown in myself that I will never find out. This means that I do not want to add anything further for a child.