Nearly 200 children across Europe were conceived using sperm carrying a dangerous cancer-linked gene mutation. Children conceived using these affected sperm cells have the mutation in every cell of their body.
Sperm from a donor who unknowingly carried a dangerous gene mutation linked to cancer was used to conceive nearly 200 children across Europe.
The sperm was not supplied to UK fertility clinics, but some families from the UK used the donor while undergoing treatment in Denmark.
SOME CHILDREN DEVELOPED CANCER
The donor carried a mutation in the TP53 gene, which normally protects the body from cancer by preventing cells from turning abnormal.
Because part of the gene was damaged, around 20% of his sperm carried this mutation.
Children conceived using these affected sperm cells have the mutation in every cell of their body. This causes Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a rare but serious genetic condition that increases the risk of developing cancer by up to 90% before age 60.
This syndrome is linked to breast cancer, brain tumours, bone cancers (osteosarcoma), soft tissue cancers, and several childhood cancers.
The BBC and 13 other public broadcasters worked together on the investigation that revealed that some of the children have already died, and many more are expected to develop cancer over their lifetimes.
HOW THIS WENT UNNOTICED
The donor was a student who was paid to donate sperm in 2005. His samples were used for 17 years, and passed all routine screening tests.
At the time, there was no way to detect this specific TP53 mutation through standard fertility screening.
Denmark’s European Sperm Bank, which supplied the donor’s sperm, admitted that it was used to produce too many pregnancies and extended “deepest sympathy” to affected families. All known families have been contacted.
The sperm bank said the mutation cannot be detected through current routine genetic tests, but the donor was blocked immediately once the problem came to light.
HOW THE ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED
Doctors raised concerns earlier this year at a meeting of the European Society of Human Genetics.
Out of 67 children identified at the time, 23 were found to carry the mutation, and 10 had already developed cancer.
They now estimate at least 197 children worldwide may have been conceived using the donor’s sperm though the true number could be higher, as not all countries have submitted information.
DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, DIFFERENT RULES
The donor’s sperm was used in 67 fertility clinics across 14 countries, highlighting major differences in sperm donor regulations.
In the UK, one donor’s sperm can be used for a maximum of 10 families.
Other countries allow far greater numbers.
The UK’s fertility regulator, the HFEA, confirmed the donor’s sperm was not supplied to licensed UK clinics. However, a “very small number” of UK women were treated with the sperm at Danish clinics.
The HFEA said that since the treatment did not occur in the UK, the matter falls under the responsibility of Danish authorities.
