Cancer Risk in 197 Children Linked to Sperm Donor’s Genetic Mutation
Nearly 200 children worldwide are at risk due to a sperm donor. The situation arose due to the use of sperm collected from a man with a dangerous genetic defect that causes cancer. The incident is causing a sensation across Europe. Denmark’s state broadcaster DR brought this health crisis to light.
A man from Denmark donated sperm in 2005. The sperm was supplied by the European Sperm Bank of Denmark to 67 clinics in 14 countries around the world from 2006 to 2022. 197 children were born through this sperm. 99 births were recorded in Denmark alone. However, his sperm had a defect in a gene called TP53. At that time, this genetic defect could not be detected in a routine screening test. Children born with this defect suffer from a rare genetic disease called ‘Lei-Framini syndrome’. This increases the risk of cancer by up to 90 percent. Breast cancer, brain tumors, and bone cancer are more common in these people.
The real issue came to light in 2025 when medical experts identified and warned about this issue. While in the UK, there is a rule that a donor’s sperm can be used for a maximum of 10 families, other countries do not have such strict rules. The issue is causing a stir across Europe. Currently, doctors are focusing on children with this genetic defect and are trying to eradicate the cancer at an early stage.
