A Danish sperm donor, unaware of a lethal genetic mutation, produced at least 197 children across Europe, including Poland, now exposing them to a 90 % cancer risk.
The Donor
The donor was an anonymous man paid for sperm donation. He was a student in 2005 and his semen was used for about 17 years. He passed all standard donor screenings and was healthy at the time.
Mutation Details
A TP53 mutation, which prevents cells from turning cancerous, had been present in some of his cells before birth. While most of his body carried the normal TP53, around 20% of his sperm contained the harmful variant, meaning any child conceived with that sperm would inherit the mutation in every cell.
Affected Children
BBC reports that at least 197 children were conceived across Europe with his sperm. Some have already died, and 90 % of children inheriting the mutation face a lifetime cancer risk.
Sperm Distribution
The semen was sold by a European sperm bank and reached countries such as Spain, Greece, Ireland, Germany, and Poland. The bank said the mutation could not be detected by genetic testing.
Action Taken
Once the mutation was identified, the donor’s sperm was immediately blocked and removed from the supply.
Risk Context
The TP53 mutation substantially raises cancer risk, putting carriers at a 90 % chance of developing malignancy during their life.
