European sperm donor carried cancer gene affecting dozens of children

A sperm donor whose samples helped create nearly 200 children across Europe was unknowingly carrying a cancer-causing disease. Genetic mutation – A hidden danger now associated with multiple childhood diseases and premature deaths.

An investigation by the BBC and several other public broadcasters revealed that the donations were made to the European Sperm Bank in Denmark (ESB) and then used by 67 people. Fertility clinics In 14 countries over 17 years.

The donor, whose identity was not revealed, was paid to donate as a student starting in 2005, the report stated.

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Although the donor passed initial health checks, he was hidden Genetic mutations That destroyed the TP53 gene, which helps prevent cancer by repairing DNA damage or causing cancer cells to die.

Research has shown that when TP53 is mutated, those protective functions are lost, which can lead to uncontrolled cell division, accumulation of mutations, and tumor growth.

A sperm donor whose samples helped create nearly 200 babies across Europe unwittingly carried a cancer-causing gene mutation, a hidden risk now linked to multiple childhood illnesses and premature deaths. (Getty Images)

Up to 20% of a man’s sperm will contain this mutated gene, and any child conceived from this affected sperm will have the mutation in every cell in his body. BBC report male.

As a result, these children will have a 90% risk of developing some types of cancer in their lifetime, including breast cancer, bone cancer and skin cancer. Brain tumors And leukemia. This increased risk is known as Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

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Doctors raised these concerns at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG), held in Milan in May 2025.

At that conference, Edwige Kasper, a cancer geneticist at Rouen University Hospital in France, presented the case of a sperm donor whose genetic material carried the harmful variant.

“This is the unnatural spread of hereditary diseases. Not every man has 75 children all over Europe.”

It was reported that 23 children were confirmed to be infected with the strain at that time, 10 of whom were already infected He was diagnosed with cancer. The actual number is likely much higher, the report predicted, as at least 197 children were born from donated sperm but not all data has been collected.

Casper called for an end to the number of births or families with one donor in Europe.

“We can’t do the whole genome sequencing of all sperm donors, and I’m not advocating for that,” she said. “But such is the unnatural spread of hereditary diseases. Not every man has 75 children all over Europe.”

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It was also recommended Children born This donor’s sperm must undergo genetic counseling.

“We had some kids who actually had two different cancers, and some of them actually died at a very young age,” Casper told investigators recently.

The BBC report stated that up to 20% of a man’s sperm contain this mutated gene, and any child conceived from those affected sperm will have the mutation in every cell of his body. (Istock)

there There is no universal law This limits the number of times donor sperm can be used or the number of children that may be born from a single donor, according to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).

However, each country may have its own rules or guidelines regarding the use of a sperm donor. ESHRE recently proposed a Maximum 50 families per donor As an international limit.

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Dr. Mark Siegel, chief medical analyst at Fox News, commented on these developments for Fox News Digital.

“This terrible story underscores the growing need for modern genetic screening for all donors,” he said. “It also provides context for the idea that knowing the donor provides an advantage.”

“This terrible story underscores the growing need for modern genetic screening for all donors,” said Dr. Mark Siegel. (Istock)

“Genetic screening, including screening for oncogenes (genes that have the potential to cause cancer) is improving dramatically, and this should be included in all uses of sperm donation,” Siegel continued. As he called for The artificial intelligence to be used To improve and speed up the process.

The doctor added: “When there is a suspicion of a tendency to infection with the disease, the sperm must be eliminated.”

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In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, the European Sperm Bank expressed its “deepest sympathy” to the families involved.

The ESP said: “We are deeply affected by the case and the impact of the rare TP53 mutation on a number of families, children and the donor. They have our deepest sympathies.”

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has provided its guidelines for embryo and gamete donation, which state in part that all potential donors should undergo “appropriate genetic evaluation.” (Istock)

“ESB tests and performs an individual medical evaluation of all donors in strict accordance with recognized and scientific practices and legislation.”

In the case of this sperm donor with the TP53 mutation, ESB noted that it only occurs in a small portion of the gene. Donor sperm cells Not in the rest of the body.

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“In such cases, the donor himself and his family members are not sick, and a mutation of this type is not preventively detected by genetic testing,” the agency said.

When the ESB later confirmed the mutation in 2023, the donor was “immediately blocked” and authorities and clinics were notified.

“The donor himself and his family members are not sick, and a mutation of this type is not detected preventively by genetic screening.”

“Clinics are responsible for informing patients, partly because as a sperm bank we don’t necessarily know the patients, and partly because the patients themselves Treating doctors “People are better equipped to advise them in a specific situation,” the agency stated.

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When contacted by Fox News Digital, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) provided its guidelines for embryo and gamete donation, which state in part that all potential donors should undergo “appropriate genetic evaluation.”

“Donors must be in good health and have no history indicating a hereditary disease,” ASRM continued.

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Parents with concerns are encouraged to contact both the treatment clinic and the relevant fertility authority in that country.