Archive · 12 Dec 2025
200 Children Born from Donor with Cancer Gene
A man in Denmark donated sperm for many years, and his samples were used in clinics around the world.
He has a special change in his genes that can cause a very high chance of getting cancer.
This change was not found during regular check-ups.
Now, up to 200 children born from his donations might have this gene change too.
It can lead to different types of cancer, and doctors are trying to figure out what to do to help these children.
A sperm donor in Denmark, who donated from 2005 to 2022, carries a mutation in the TP53 gene.
The mutation is associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which can result in a 90% lifetime risk of cancer.
Up to 200 children born from his donations across 14 countries may be affected.
The mutation was not detected in routine screenings as it occurred spontaneously before the donor was born.
The donor himself is healthy, but up to 20% of his sperm carried the mutation.
- Who
- A sperm donor in Denmark and the 200 children born from his donations
- What
- The donor carries a mutation in the TP53 gene, which is associated with a high risk of cancer
- When
- The donor began donating in 2005, and the issue was discovered in 2022
- Where
- Clinics in 14 countries
- Why
- The mutation occurred spontaneously before the donor was born and was not detected in routine screenings
- Donor
- A sperm donor in Denmark
- Donation Period
- 2005 to 2022
- Affected Gene
- TP53 gene
- Associated Condition
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Cancer Risk
- Up to 90% lifetime risk
- Countries Affected
- 14 countries
- Mutation Source
- Spontaneous DNA mutation before donor's birth