Another Dutch gynaecologist fathered children unlawfully; fourth case in recent years

The case became public after a donor child reported to the hospital in Den Bosch in 2021 with the suspicion that he was the child of former gynaecologist Henk Nagel. The doctor cooperated with a DNA test, which showed that he is the biological father. The JBH states that "the impact of this research outcome is understandably great for the donor child and the mother". "Because the relationship with your parents or your children is one of the most important and valuable in life."

Nagel admits that he has used his sperm a few times. According to the JBZ, he was the only doctor to deal with artificial insemination at the Carolus Hospital between 1977 and 1985. The JBH calls the method "incomprehensible" and is conducting follow-up investigations to "bring out the bottom stone" about the state of affairs and the size, according to Piet-Hein Buiting, chairman of the board of directors.

Revelations

The recent publication is a new case in a series of revelations. In January, the Isala hospital in Zwolle called on former patients of gynaecologist Jan Wildschut of the former Sophia Hospital to come forward. He fathered at least 47 children with his sperm. Last week it was announced that former gynaecologist Jos Beek of the Elisabeth Hospital in Leiderdorp would be the biological father of at least 21 children from the 70s and 80s.

A few years earlier, the activities of colleague Jan Karbaat came to light. The late Karbaat had his own IVF clinic, but his sperm would also have found its way through other clinics. According to the Donorkind Foundation, this resulted in approximately eighty children.

Exuberant

Until 2004, sperm donors in the Netherlands were allowed to remain anonymous. There was hardly any legislation and control in this area. There is often little administration of the treatments. Nevertheless, exuberant activities such as the above were considered objectionable at the time, according to the Donorkind Foundation.

The foundation expects that a few more cases will soon come out of doctors who went beyond their means.

In its own words, the Dutch health inspectorate has "no grounds to investigate something that happened so long ago and for which there were no regulations at the time". According to the organisation on its own site, social views have changed, and that is why there are now rules. She does say it is relevant to know how a hospital handles the results of a study into such fertility issues.