\"Rookie Numbers\": The head of Telegram boasts about being the father to more than 100 children through sperm donation methods.

TLDR

• Pavel Durov, the voice behind Telegram, shares he has fathered upwards of 100 children through his sperm donations.
• Durov has been a sperm donor for well over a decade, spanning services in 12 different countries.
• Elon Musk, upon hearing Durov's boasts, jestingly labeled his numbers as \"rookie\" when juxtaposed with Genghis Khan.
• Durov plans to \"open-source\" his genetic blueprint so his progeny can easily trace one another.
• This tech figure's announcement throws light on the international sperm scarcity and the ethical dilemmas surrounding such extensive donations.

---

At 39, Pavel Durov, Telegram's CEO, has caught global eyes with his unexpected revelation. Through his own channel, he revealed having fathered over 100 children via sperm donation over the last decade and a half.

Durov's journey in sperm donation was kickstarted when a close associate, struggling with fertility, sought his assistance. Out of curiosity, he explored a clinic where he was informed about the shortage in \"high-caliber donor material.\" Seeing donation as a \"civic responsibility,\" Durov began regular contributions.

It's intriguing to find out that Pavel Durov, Telegram's CEO, boasts over 100 biological offspring. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/B7G7slDyZ3

— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) July 29, 2024

By Durov's account, his sperm has been a boon to more than 100 combinations globally. However, he's halted his donations, though an IVF center still retains his preserved sperm.

The announcement triggered swift responses, including a notable one from Tesla's Elon Musk. On the social channel X, Musk remarked, “ Rookie numbers, ”, making a nod to the legendary Genghis Khan, rumored to have hundreds of descendants. Musk himself is noted for 12 children, albeit not via donation.

Durov's narrative syncs with reports on worldwide sperm inadequacies. Rising sperm demand stems from causes like infertility and same-sex couples wanting families, surpassing availability. In several regions, regulatory and cultural barriers amplify the paucity.

The idea of widespread sperm donation isn't new, though it's wrapped in debate. Recently, a Dutchman's case brought to light concerns over him siring at least 550 offspring globally. The legal action sought to halt his donations due to risks of accidental incest and mental well-being of donor children.

To counter such challenges, Durov proposed \"open-sourcing\" his DNA. This step could potentially allow his biological children to locate each other effortlessly. Making DNA publicly accessible might also feed into genetic studies and personalized medical solutions.

The spotlight on Durov's announcement extends to ethical dilemmas associated with mass sperm donations. In certain nations, like the Netherlands, there's a cap of 25 descendants or 12 families for each donor to minimize potential problems. Durov's count of 100+ goes beyond these thresholds.

Expressing his intent to \"remove the stigma from sperm donation,\" Durov urged others to contribute, noting he's “proud” of helping to address the global sperm deficit.