Jaclyn Frosolone, a 24-year-old woman, received an unexpected surprise when a 23andMe test uncovered an unexpected reality, as she had more than 200 half siblings. She initially dismissed it and thought it was some kind of mix up. However, Frosolone was taken aback when it was confirmed that her results were accurate. Believing she had only one half sister, she was baffled as dozens of newfound siblings appeared on her screen. Desperate for answers, she reached out to some and discovered the shocking truth that she was conceived through a sperm donor, whose sperm was used for over 200 individuals and shockingly, it continues to be sold. Upon sharing the discovery with her mother, she even confirmed the unexpected family history.
Along with confirming the news, the New Yorker’s mother further disclosed that she had destroyed all the paperwork related to the donor in an attempt to hide the truth. In a conversation with USA Today, the woman said, “It’s been three years, but I still haven’t really processed this information. I thought it was cool at first, but now I kind of disassociate, like I’m looking through someone else’s eyes witnessing me trying to get through this.”
Jaclyn Frosolone’s emotions intensified as she realised that knowing the truth about her genetics might have allowed for treatment of her health problems. Presently, she is suffering from a brain fluid filled cyst in her spine causing full body tremors, along with conditions like anxiety, depression, supraventricular tachycardia, ADHD, severe vaginal pain and dermatitis. Surprisingly, many of her siblings share similar medical issues, including cysts, arrhythmias, anxiety, severe eczema, depression, connective tissue disorders, PCOS, gastrointestinal issues, OCD and chronic infections.
Meanwhile, the health conditions experienced by Jaclyn Frosolone and her numerous half siblings were not disclosed on their sperm donor’s profile. Additionally, interviews with several siblings revealed that these conditions are not from their biological mothers’ side of the family.
Jennifer Below, a geneticist and professor of medicine at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, shared, “All aspects of the human condition exist on a spectrum of heritability. But the fact that the majority of people in this pod have the same health problems suggests that a much more complicated genetic interaction might be happening there.”
In search of answers regarding her declining health, Jamie LeRose, a half sister of Jaclyn Frosolone, attempted to contact their sperm donor through his brother. This brother had discovered and joined a Facebook group created by the siblings to connect with one another and expressed a desire to know his nieces and nephews
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