Health Ministry Warns Offspring of Sperm Donor with Genetic Mutation

On Wednesday, the Health Ministry made an unusual announcement regarding a sperm donor who had a rare genetic mutation linked to increased cancer risk in his offspring.

They are urging individuals in their forties and fifties, conceived from sperm donations at private clinics in the central region, to seek testing at genetic institutes nationwide as soon as possible.

This situation came to light months ago when the family of a deceased sperm donor alerted the ministry about his diagnosis of Lynch syndrome, a condition raising the likelihood of developing various cancers, such as those affecting the colon, uterus, stomach, and ovaries.

The donor, who passed away, provided sperm to private fertility clinics in central Israel from 1974 to 1985, prior to the establishment of regulated sperm banks.

While the exact number of children conceived from his donations remains unclear, the ministry estimates it could be anywhere from dozens to possibly over a hundred. The offspring are unaware of the donor’s identity, but it’s established that he only donated at private clinics in that area.

The Health Ministry states that there’s a 50 percent chance these children could carry the mutation. For those who do, a structured medical monitoring program is available to aid in early cancer detection and treatment.

Families who utilized sperm donations during that timeframe are being encouraged to inform their children about the situation and recommend they directly contact one of the ten genetic institutes across the country for testing.

No doctor referral is needed for this. Individuals can approach the institutes on their own, although the test is not covered by insurance and costs about 633 shekels. Those identified as carriers can access comprehensive medical treatment, including early detection assessments.

According to Prof. Talia Eldar-Geva, head of the Fertility and Reproduction Department at the Health Ministry, the complexity of this scenario is notable. Some families who received sperm donations decades ago might have hidden this from their children, and might now feel compelled to share this information due to these developments. But, given that detecting carrier status can lead to timely diagnosis and treatment, the Ministry feels it must address the issue.

This incident reflects a troubling trend seen recently in Europe and the U.S., where sperm donors have unknowingly passed on rare genetic mutations to their children. For instance, a notable case discussed at a recent genetics conference in Milan involved a sperm donor in Europe who carried Li-Fraumeni syndrome, a serious genetic disorder that significantly raises the risk of early cancers. This donor fathered at least 67 children across eight countries, with ten already diagnosed with cancer.

This mutation affects the TP53 gene, which is crucial for repairing DNA damage. At the time of the donor’s contributions in the early 2000s, the mutation wasn’t classified as a significant risk. However, recent advancements in genetic testing have shed light on its dangers, leading to genetic testing and regular medical monitoring for all offspring. Already, ten of these children have been diagnosed with cancer, and 23 others have been found to be carriers of the mutation. Current medical guidelines suggest routine MRI scans, abdominal and breast screenings, and sometimes blood tests.