Inconceivable Truth: Episode 3 - "The Doctor"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Inconceivable Truth
• Host/Author: Matt Katz (audiochuck)
• Description: Investigative reporter Matt Katz has been searching for his biological father since childhood. In his 40s, Matt discovers he may have been on the wrong path, uncovering a complex web of confusion and secrecy that challenges his understanding of identity, fatherhood, and family.
• Episode: The Doctor | Chapter 3
• Release Date: April 11, 2024
• Notable Praise: “One of those rare stories in which a deeply personal narrative collides with a hidden history. I count it among my favorites of all time.” – Vogue, The Best Podcasts of 2024

1. Introduction to the Revelation

The episode opens with Matt Katz embarking on a deeply personal conversation with his mother, Deborah, revealing pivotal information about his conception. This marks a turning point in his lifelong quest to uncover his biological roots.

Matt Katz [02:34]:
"I'm just gonna record on my phone. I will preface by saying that, like, I love you very much for being my mom, obviously... I'm just trying to figure out... where I kind of came from."

2. Unveiling the Hidden Past

Matt confronts his mother regarding newfound revelations about his biological origins. The discussion uncovers that Deborah had undergone fertility treatments in 1977, during which practices were less regulated and more secretive.

Deborah [05:04]:
"The doctor used a medical instrument to inseminate her with a vial of Warren sperm to get the sperm closer to the uterus as a treatment for infertility. But in reality, that's not what happened."

3. Questioning Paternity

As the conversation deepens, Matt begins to doubt the longstanding belief that Warren is his biological father. This skepticism is fueled by the absence of physical resemblances and discrepancies in ethnic backgrounds.

Matt Katz [07:06]:
"This guy who caused so much emotional angst was just a fucking stranger to me. I didn't look like him."

Warren [08:03]:
"You have no qualities of him."

4. Exploring Fertility Practices of the 70s

Delving into historical fertility treatments, Matt and Deborah uncover that during the 1970s, sperm donors were often medical students or residents, with procedures lacking transparency and strict regulations.

Deborah [09:40]:
"Doctors never expected the resulting children to ever know the identity of their fathers. They advised that children never be told that a donor was involved in creating them."

5. The Search for Dr. Dubrovnir

Determined to find answers, Matt and Deborah trace their steps to Dr. Charles de Brovner, the OB-GYN who oversaw Deborah's fertility treatments. Their investigation reveals unsettling practices of anonymous sperm donation.

Matt Katz [22:30]:
"I found mention of Dr. Dubrovnir in an online registry for donor-conceived people... he donated from 1981 to 1983."

6. Confronting the Source of Secrecy

Through persistent effort, Matt and Deborah manage to contact Dr. Dubrovnir. In a candid interview, the doctor admits to mixing sperm and maintaining strict anonymity, prioritizing the perceived needs of the donors and recipients over the children conceived.

Dr. Dubrovnir [33:13]:
"The donors were students that I had taught, medical students or more often residents in OB GYN..."

Deborah [35:08]:
"It was strange to hear him talk about this extraordinary power that he had, choosing a new human being's genes..."

7. Ethical Implications and Emotional Turmoil

The revelation that Matt was likely not Warren's biological son forces him to grapple with complex emotions regarding identity, belonging, and the ethics of medical practices from the past.

Matt Katz [15:39]:
"Knowing a name would satisfy me. I'm gonna never figure out who he is."

Warren [15:19]:
"You have to decide what makes a father. Not just the sperm, obviously."

8. Reaching Out to Half-Siblings

In an effort to piece together the fragmented puzzle of his origins, Matt collaborates with his newly discovered half-sister, Helena, and reaches out to another half-sister, Tara, who may hold the key to identifying their biological father.

Deborah [21:26]:
"I was so relieved to get this off my chest... but my mom dropped something that night. A clue, a name."

9. The Path Forward

Despite the emotional weight and uncertainty, Matt remains resolute in his pursuit of the truth. The episode concludes with a commitment to continue the search, fueled by the hope of finally understanding his true heritage.

Matt Katz [20:37]:
"I gotta find it out. I may never find out who he is, right?"

Deborah [47:24]:
"So let the search begin for Irish men who would have been in medical school in the 70s, living in New York, and maybe now recently retired gynecologists."

Key Takeaways and Reflections

• Historical Medical Practices: The episode sheds light on the clandestine nature of fertility treatments in the 1970s, highlighting ethical lapses and the long-term repercussions on donor-conceived individuals.

• Impact on Identity: Matt’s journey underscores the profound effect that uncovering biological truths can have on one's sense of self and relationships within the family.

• Technological Advancements: The role of modern DNA testing services like Ancestry.com and 23andMe emerges as pivotal tools in unraveling hidden familial connections that were previously inaccessible.

• Ethical Considerations: The episode prompts listeners to contemplate the responsibilities of medical professionals in ensuring transparency and the well-being of all parties involved, especially the children conceived through such methods.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Katz [08:14]:
  "I play poker and I like. I smoked cigarettes in college... But I don't look like him."

• Deborah [12:49]:
  "Was it even possible that a doctor could inseminate her with a stranger's sperm without telling her?"

• Dr. Dubrovnir [38:49]:
  "But it's a fair number considering... 30 years of doing inseminations."

• Matt Katz [37:36]:
  "But I hate the fact that the baby was never taken into account... the child who would one day want to know the truth about where they came from."

Conclusion

"The Doctor" serves as a compelling chapter in Matt Katz's ongoing investigation into his biological origins. By confronting his family's concealed history and engaging with the very source of his conception, Matt navigates a labyrinth of emotional and ethical complexities. This episode not only advances his personal journey but also invites listeners to reflect on broader societal and medical practices that impact the fundamental aspects of identity and family.