At least 67 children across Europe have become pregnant using sperm from male donors, and a rare, cancer-linked genetic mutation has been identified in them. Among these, ten children are currently diagnosed with cancer.
The births occurred in eight different countries between 2008 and 2015, with 23 of the children found to be carriers of the TP53 variant. Reports indicate this connection.
The TP53 gene, when mutated, significantly raises the risk of developing various cancers, such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukemia.
Dr. Edwige Casper, a biologist at Lune University Hospital in France, commented on the situation, saying, “We cannot do whole genome sequencing for all sperm donors — I’m not arguing about it. But this is an abnormal spread of genetic disease. Not everyone has 75 children in Europe.”
The issue came to light when two families approached a fertility clinic, realizing the connection between the mutation and cancer. Subsequent investigations by the European Sperm Bank revealed that some samples from the donor carried harmful genetic variants.
When the donor contributed sperm in 2008, the mutation wasn’t known to cause cancer, and it wouldn’t have been detected through standard genetic testing.
Children identified as carriers are currently under close observation with routine medical imaging, including whole-body MRIs, brain and breast scans, and abdominal ultrasounds.
The European Sperm Bank confirmed that sperm from donors resulted in more than 67 births but stated that they wouldn’t disclose a specific count of offspring per donor due to policy. They also noted that warnings were given to clinics that received sperm from affected donors.
Healthcare professionals now advise that children who carry the TP53 variant should undergo thorough, ongoing medical monitoring, which includes whole-body MRI scans and regular abdominal ultrasounds for early detection of cancers in high-risk individuals.
