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Cancer Gene Donor's Children: Some Deaths Reported
10 Dec
Summary
- Sperm donor with cancer-linked gene fathered 197 children.
- Some children have already died from cancers.
- Denmark-based sperm bank involved in multiple countries.
At least 197 children across Europe were fathered by a single sperm donor who unknowingly carried a rare genetic mutation increasing cancer risk. Some of these children have already succumbed to the disease, according to a new investigation.
The donor, who is healthy, has a mutation in the TP53 gene, associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, significantly raising cancer susceptibility. His sperm was used by 67 clinics in 14 countries, originating from one private sperm bank in Denmark. The full number of affected children may still be higher.
Experts emphasize the critical need for enhanced genetic screening of sperm donors and stringent international controls on single donor conception numbers. This case underscores the tragic potential consequences of rare genetic conditions and the importance of robust regulatory oversight in assisted reproduction.
