A rare genetic mutation increasing the risk of cancer is carried by a sperm donor who demonstrates no external symptoms of such a mutation. Alarmingly, his sperm has been used to unknowingly conceive at least 197 children around the world. The donor’s sperm was then sold to 67 clinics in 14 countries, between 2006 and 2022. The European Sperm Bank is one of the largest sperm banks worldwide. In the last 20 years, it has made possible the births of more than 70,000 children—but now, it’s under fire for its procedures for screening sperm donors.
Interestingly, a previously underreported mutation was identified in the TP53 gene in this sperm donor. This genetic mutation is found in just a tiny percentage of his sperm cells. The donor in question is asymptomatic and will carry on unaffected by the mutation. So when, in April 2020, the European Sperm Bank got a notice of limits from the Danish Health Authority, worries set in. One child conceived using this donor had been diagnosed with cancer linked to the genetic mutation.
International Response and Regulations
In response to the alarming situation, the use of the donor’s sperm was blocked in late October 2023. At least one other child conceived from the same donor developed cancer three years after the bank received the first notification. It was this realization that spurred the following action. According to Denmark’s public broadcaster DR, 99 children were fathered by this donor in Denmark alone.
Countries such as Austria, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden have laws in place that cap the number of offspring a donor may produce within their national borders. There are currently no international regulations governing the total number of children a donor can conceive across different countries. Because no FDA oversight means no health screening, this situation is worrisome given the extent to which undetected genetic mutations can pose health risks in unsuspecting recipients.
Implications for Child Health
According to the European Sperm Bank, the mutation is very uncommon. It only affects a very small percentage of the donor’s sperm cells.
“The specific mutation is a rare and previously undescribed TP53 mutation that is only found in a small part of the donor’s sperm cells and not in the rest of the body, as the donor himself is not affected,” – Sperm bank
Not withstanding these reassurances, parents and health authorities are still trying to understand the fate of conceiving children with these kinds of genetic hazards. The case exposes the inadequacy of current sperm donation screening and monitoring practices.
The European Sperm Bank (ESB) put a limit of 75 families per donor in late 2022. They can now be held increasingly liable for not thoroughly screening their donors for genetic abnormalities.
Future Considerations
Advocacy for changed donor screening practices continues. We’ve been hearing from advocates—and we’ve joined them—calling for more powerful regulations, to safeguard the health of generations yet to come. This case serves as a critical reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in reproductive technologies, especially as their use increasingly transcends international borders.
