Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, has sparked a wave of controversy and intrigue by offering free IVF treatment to women, provided they agree to use his sperm for the procedure. The bold initiative, aimed at helping couples struggling with infertility, has garnered attention due to the unusual nature of the offer, which hinges on Durov’s willingness to be the sperm donor.
This move follows an earlier revelation by Durov in September, where he publicly shared that he has over 100 biological children. The announcement coincided with his plans to “open-source” his DNA, which he believes will allow his biological offspring to easily find one another. Durov explained that the idea stemmed from a conversation with a friend experiencing infertility, who reached out to him for sperm. Afterward, the head of a sperm clinic informed Durov of a growing shortage of “high-quality donor material,” which led him to take action.
In partnership with AltraVita IVF clinic in Moscow, Durov is now offering women free IVF treatment if they opt to use his sperm. The clinic, which has become the exclusive provider of Durov’s sperm, states on its website that Durov is willing to finance all IVF protocols involving his genetic material. IVF, a fertility treatment that can be financially burdensome for many couples, offers hope for those struggling to conceive. However, as Durov himself acknowledges, the procedure does not always succeed, and the costs can be substantial in some regions, sometimes reaching thousands of dollars without guaranteeing a pregnancy.
While the arrangement may sound unconventional, it reflects Durov’s belief in using his resources to assist those who are facing fertility challenges. The offer is also bound to raise ethical and privacy concerns, particularly regarding the implications of Durov’s open-sourcing of his DNA and the potential for the widespread distribution of his genetic material.
For now, the partnership with AltraVita represents a unique approach to addressing infertility, though its long-term impact and ethical considerations remain to be fully explored.
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