Instant classic

I listen to a LOT of podcasts, and this is up there with the very best audible originals like West Cork & Evil Has a Name, and free-to-air classics such as S-Town & Serial.
A compelling & complex story, teased out beautifully.

10 people found this helpful

give us a break, not this guy!

Fascinating story of what can go wrong in trying to become a parent outside of the usual "natural order" (cringe). One mentally ill man and one exceedingly greedy company perpetrate fraud fraud after fraud which has far reaching ramifications, not just on one person and their immediate families, but potentially on the genepool as a whole! That the central figure in this story was always cast in an attempt at a sympathetic light flabbergasted me. Insurance companies screw individuals over and refuse to pay out compensation for "pre-existing" conditions, but one seriously deluded individual can pass such a serious pre-existing condition on, and we're all supposed to be OK with that? In the words of Sherlock Holmes, it's a case of heads I win, tails you lose, in favour of the system. Victims of this repeated fraud had their case thrown out of court, because of a theoretical link to a-b-o-r-t-i-o-n. These poor people are denied justice and saddled with huge medical bills, but we're supposed to feel empathy for a selfish schizophrenic because of his messiah complex? You can't have it both ways- people have the right to know if any potential issues! Legally, caveat emptor does not apply - the vendor in post industrial revolution society is under an obligation to provide a functioning product (caveat venditor). The seller purposely misrepresented the product - this is FRAUD, case closed! Don't bother hectoring us with "donor 9623 is just an imperfect human being" - he sold himself as superman! His poor biological offspring have the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads for their whole lives. Shut down sperm banks and introduce regulation and monitoring - this current setup is a nightmare that will cause untold horrors for future generations. We should have sympathy for the children here, not the irresponsible sick father.

5 people found this helpful

Worth the listen for curiosity sake

Anyone thinking of IVF through a sperm bank, it's required listening! The shortcomings of an industry highlighted through one case study, which will leave you wondering as to how it happened and is it really that terrible a thing that it has. Live and let live. Yet the industry requires more regulatory input, that seems obvious. Raises questions

1 person found this helpful

Interesting subject but too long

Its an interesting subject and story, but could have been told in four episodes. I felt the focus and therefore blame was put too much on a man who was clearly very unwell, and less on the company whose responsibility it is to properly screen it's donors. I'd like to know what measures have been put in place since the 90s to ensure this can't happen again.

1 person found this helpful

insightful

excellent podcast. I thought I had made up my mind until the last episode. recommended.

1 person found this helpful

Jolly interesting

Binged it, very interesting and sad in turn. I hope however it doesn't reflect too badly on those suffering with schizophrenia who manage their lives without screwing up other people's.

Such a special podcast

Honestly this series is so amazing, deals with so many things head on such as; family, mental illness, biological family, human imperfection, mistakes. I would recommend it to anyone, it’s really made me reflect.

Asensible umbiased delivery of a sensitive subject

This was a good listen, thank you.
The narrator had good depth to his voice

Fascinating story, done well

A good podcast was produced with the content he had available. Really interesting story. its annoying how the episodes aren't in order

Bingeworthy !

Excellent podcast! Very well made , story was fascinating - all the episodes were great but the last one specifically was the perfect ending to the story.