Plotz, David: The Genius Factory

  Amazon  

In The Genius Factory David Plotz writes about the so-called "Nobel Prize sperm bank," the brainchild of eccentric millionaire Robert Graham. The sperm bank opened in 1980, and it was revolutionary at the time because it catered to its clients. Historically, women seeking artificial insemination were at the mercy of patronizing doctors and were often impregnated by the first med student that happened to walk by their exam room. Clients of Graham's sperm bank, on the other hand, got to choose their donors from a list of candidates, all high-achieving, healthy men who, it was hoped, would pass on their genius genes to their offspring. Unfortunately, the few Nobel Prize winners that actually donated sperm to Graham's bank never actually fathered any children, and the rest of the donors were not always as high-achieving as they were made out to be. Plotz writes about the history of Graham's bank and of sperm banks in general and about many of the personalities involved in the operation--Graham himself, eugenics enthusiast and Nobel Prize-winning sperm bank donor William Shockley, some of the women who were clients of the sperm bank, their children. Plotz in fact has a hand in reuniting some sperm bank kids with their biological fathers. One unusually prolific donor turns out to be a disappointment--though Plotz's description of the man and his lifestyle makes good reading. But there's another donor, "Donor White," who becomes the star of Plotz' story. If you were looking for someone to pass on his genes to your kids, you'd want it to be this guy. You'd want him to be your own father. I think Plotz pretty much fell in love with him, and most readers will too. Happily, his story has a happy ending. Plotz has a very interesting tale to tell in The Genius Factory, and he writes it well. It's surprisingly touching and even a little suspenseful at times. Highly recommended.

Comments

[Clare D]

1.

As I've commented on the highlight - I think the remark about Nobel prize winners not fathering the children makes the book really enticing! Look fascinating reading.

[Debra Hamel]

2.

I have responded via Highlight! That worked as it was supposed to.

[jinlala]

3.

I have responded via Highlight! That worked as it was supposed to.