Man, 72, to father his son’s child

A 72-YEAR-OLD man is to become a sperm donor for his own “grandchild”, it was reported yesterday.

The anonymous man has agreed to donate his sperm to his son and daughter-in-law.

The case arose after the London couple were unable to conceive a child through IVF, the Evening Standard newspaper reported.

The sperm is being screened at the London Women’s Clinic, where the couple, who are in their 30s, are being treated.

Dr Peter Bowen-Simkins, co-medical director of the clinic, told the paper he had never come across a case like this before.

But advancements in fertility treatment mean people were now willing to consider all kinds of options.

He said: “Obviously the wife’s mother-in-law also had to be included in all the conversations but she has no objections.

“Society has also changed its perceptions of what is and what is not acceptable.

“In this case, keeping the identity of the child similar to their own was a huge factor.

“The husband does not have a brother, which is why he chose his own father to assist.”

Any baby would be the grandfather’s genetic child and its father’s half brother.

A spokeswoman for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which regulates the fertility sector, said it did not need to approve the decision.

Donations from family members — such as sisters giving each other their eggs — are allowed under the law, she said.