They fell in love – then had to check they weren’t brother and sister

Arthur Kermalvezen, a child of a sperm donor, spent years imagining possible fathers everywhere he went. When he fell in love with Audrey, another sperm donor from Paris, the question of their potential relationship became even more pressing. The couple needed to determine if they were related before committing to a life together.

However, French laws governing genetic testing and donor anonymity made it nearly impossible to find the answer. Only a select group, including research scientists, doctors, and judges, could order and supervise genetic tests due to strict regulations. These laws, in place since 1994, aimed to protect sensitive genetic data and prevent family disputes from unexpected results.

Despite the law, Arthur and Audrey found a doctor who conducted a genetic test for them, confirming they were not related. Their discovery led to a series of revelations about their shared donor and the extent of their genetic connections.