Legal Definitions - genetic father

A genetic father is the male individual who contributed the sperm that led to the conception of a child. This means he is biologically related to the child through shared genetic material, regardless of his legal or social relationship with the child.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a genetic father:

• Example 1: Assisted Reproductive Technology

  A woman, unable to conceive with her partner, decides to use donor sperm through an in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic. The clinic uses sperm from an anonymous donor to fertilize her eggs, resulting in a successful pregnancy. In this scenario, the sperm donor is the genetic father because his biological material (sperm) was used to create the embryo, even though he will have no legal or social parental role in the child's life.

• Example 2: Paternity Dispute

  After a child is born, a man denies he is the father, claiming he did not have a sexual relationship with the mother. The mother initiates a legal action to establish paternity and secure child support. A court orders a DNA test, which conclusively proves that the man's genetic material matches that of the child. In this case, the man is identified as the genetic father, establishing his biological link to the child, which then carries legal responsibilities.

• Example 3: Adoption and Ancestry Research

  An adult who was adopted as an infant decides to research their biological origins. They submit a DNA sample to an ancestry service and receive a match with an individual who is identified as their biological parent. This individual is the genetic father, as the DNA evidence confirms the biological contribution of genetic material, even though he did not raise the child or have any prior knowledge of their existence.