Archive · 26 May 2025
Sperm Donor with Cancer Gene Caused Diagnoses in Children
Imagine a man gave sperm to help people have babies, but he didn't know he had a hidden gene that causes cancer.
His sperm was used to make many babies in Europe.
Unfortunately, some of these babies have now gotten cancer.
This is because they inherited the gene.
Experts are concerned, because many families now need to be checked, and they are talking about the number of children a donor can have.
The sperm bank said that it is hard to find these genes and that they are concerned.
Doctors now recommend that these children get regular checkups to watch for cancer.
A sperm donor carried a rare gene mutation linked to cancer, affecting multiple children.
The donor's sperm was used to conceive at least 67 children across Europe.
Ten children conceived using the donor's sperm have been diagnosed with cancer.
The mutation is in the TP53 gene, associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome.
The case highlights the need for stricter regulations in the fertility industry.
- Who
- A sperm donor, children conceived from his sperm, fertility clinics, and the European Sperm Bank.
- What
- A sperm donor unknowingly passed on a rare cancer-causing gene to children, leading to cancer diagnoses.
- When
- Between 2008 and 2015 (donation), diagnoses ongoing
- Where
- Across Europe
- Why
- Due to a rare cancer-causing gene carried by a sperm donor.
Critic's View
Sperm Bank View
Regulation of sperm banks
Critic's View
Concerns were raised regarding the lack of transparency in the number of births for the donor.
Sperm Bank View
The European Sperm Bank has implemented an international limit of 75 families per donor, and welcomes further dialogue on setting an internationally mandated family limit.
- Children conceived using donor sperm
- 67
- Children diagnosed with cancer
- 10
- Sperm donation period
- 2008-2015
- Geographic scope of the case
- Europe
- Affected gene
- TP53
- Syndrome associated with gene mutation
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome