Sperm from a donor carrying a dangerous cancer-causing gene has resulted in nearly 200 babies across Europe, raising serious concerns. An investigation by several European public broadcasters uncovered this troubling situation.
The donor, who passed health screenings in 2005, carries a mutation in his TP53 gene, which is crucial in preventing cancer. This mutation can lead to Li-Fraumeni syndrome, significantly increasing the risk of developing various cancers, especially in children. Estimates suggest that about 20% of his sperm contained this harmful gene, meaning any child conceived with it carries the mutation in every cell.
Cancer geneticist Clare Turnbull described it as a “dreadful diagnosis” that brings lifelong risks to affected families. The impact is already being felt, as some children have tragically died from cancer, while many more may face similar fates.
The alarming discovery came about when doctors noted patterns of cancer in children conceived using the donor’s sperm. As of now, 23 children with the mutation have been identified, with ten already diagnosed with cancer. Journalistic inquiries revealed that at least 197 children might be affected, though the total number of those inheriting the mutation remains uncertain.
“Some children have developed two different cancers at young ages, and some have died early,” said Edwige Kasper, a cancer geneticist at France’s Rouen University Hospital.
This sperm was distributed by the European Sperm Bank based in Denmark to 67 fertility clinics in 14 countries. While some countries have laws restricting the number of families that can use a single donor’s sperm, no international regulations exist. For example, in Belgium, a single donor’s sperm is meant for a maximum of six families, but the investigation found that 53 children were born to 38 women using this donor’s sperm.
With geneticists warning of potential future discoveries as more data is analyzed, the consequences of this case continue to unfold. Events like these emphasize the importance of stringent screenings and regulations in reproductive health, not just for the safety of individual donors but for all families involved.
For further understanding, you can check out genetic screening guidelines via the American Society of Human Genetics.
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Pregnancy, European Union
