A rare genetic mutation has sparked alarm after two families, who conceived their children through fertility clinics, discovered their kids had developed cancer linked to the same unusual gene variant. It turned out that a man with this rare cancer had donated sperm to the European Sperm Bank, which was used to conceive up to 67 children across Europe, with 10 of them developing the disease.
The sperm bank confirmed that some of the donor’s sperm carried a mutation in the TP53 gene, but this link to cancer wasn’t known at the time of donation in 2008. Standard screening methods wouldn’t have detected the rare variant back then.
As news of this case spread, genetic and pediatric departments from across Europe joined the investigation, leading to tests on 67 children from 46 families in eight countries. The mutation was found in 23 kids, with 10 of them diagnosed with cancer, including leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The European Sperm Bank, which sets a global limit of 75 families per sperm donor, acknowledged that more than 67 children were conceived using this donor’s sperm, but refused to confirm the exact number. This has ignited a debate about the number of babies that can be conceived using sperm from a single donor. Experts warn about the social and psychological risks of using sperm from individual donors to conceive a large number of children in different countries.
Concerns over sperm donation
The case has raised questions about the safety and ethics of sperm donation. While the European Sperm Bank has a limit on the number of families that can use a single donor’s sperm, the actual number of children conceived can be much higher. This can lead to a higher risk of accidental sibling relationships and other social complications.
Risks of genetic mutations
The TP53 gene mutation is a rare genetic variant that can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. The fact that this mutation was not detected through standard screening methods highlights the need for more advanced genetic testing in sperm donation.
- 10 children developed cancer, including leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- 23 children carried the TP53 gene mutation
- 67 children from 46 families in eight countries were tested
The incident has sparked calls for greater transparency and regulation in the sperm donation industry, to ensure that donors and families are aware of the potential risks and consequences of using sperm from individual donors.