Latest news with #DrEdwigeKasper
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Sperm donor's genetic mutation linked to cancer in 10 conceived children
Sperm from a single donor in Europe has reportedly been used to conceive at least 67 pregnancies, although the donor carried a rare cancer-causing mutation. The donor's mutation has been linked to cancer diagnoses in 10 of these children, according to a report by The Guardian. The case was brought to light after two families separately contacted their fertility clinics after their children's cancer diagnoses were linked to a rare genetic variant called TP53. Prostate Cancer Risk Increases By 45% Among Men Who Share One Troubling Behavior A mutation in the TP53 gene causes Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which increases the risk of developing cancer. Cleveland Clinic states that this disorder comes with a 90% chance of developing some type of cancer by age 60, and a 50% chance by the age of 40. The European Sperm Bank, the sperm supplier, confirmed that this variant was present in some of the donor's sperm. Read On The Fox News App The Guardian reported that the rare variant was "not known to be linked to cancer at the time of donation in 2008." The genetic variant reportedly would not have been detectable through standard screening, and the donor is said to currently be in good health. Dr Edwige Kasper, a biologist at Rouen University Hospital in France, presented this case at the European Society of Human Genetics' annual conference in Milan last week, commenting on the need for a European limit on the number of births or families for a single donor. "We can't do whole-genome sequencing for all sperm donors – I'm not arguing for that," she told The Guardian. "But this is the abnormal dissemination of genetic disease. Not every man has 75 children across Europe." 4 Troubling Cancer Trends You Must Know About In 2025 Kasper analyzed the mutation in her lab, concluding that it was most likely cancer-causing and that children born from this donor should "receive genetic counseling." The research-turned-investigation tracked down 67 children from 46 families in eight European countries. The children were tested, with the variant detected in 23 of them. The 10 who had been diagnosed with cancer reportedly included cases of leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, the European Sperm Bank stated that donor-assisted reproduction "generally remains a significantly safer alternative" than reproduction without genetic screening. The bank added that sperm donors undergo a "comprehensive health screening," which includes an in-depth medical examination, a review of the donor's family medical history and "extensive" testing for genetic and infectious diseases. "However, it's not possible to rule out all risks — and, in this particular case, the identified mutation is one that could not have been detected by the screening methods we use in accordance with regulations and would require specialized genetic testing," the group noted. Julie Paulli Budtz, VP. of corporate communications at the European Sperm Bank, expressed to Fox News Digital that they are "deeply affected by this case." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "The donor has been thoroughly tested even beyond the required standards, but preventative genetic screening is reaching its limits here," she said. "Every human being has about 20,000 genes, and it is scientifically simply not possible to detect disease-causing mutations in a person's gene pool if you don't know what you are looking for." Budtz noted that the European Sperm Bank welcomes "continued dialogue" regarding setting an "internationally binding family limit," which they have advocated for "on several occasions, also at EU level." "This is also why, in addition to complying with national pregnancy limits, we have proactively implemented our own international limit of 75 families per donor," she added. In the U.S., there is no official legal limit on how many sperm donations one man can make. However, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends that donors are limited to 25 live births within each population area of 800,000 people. "Institutions, clinics and sperm banks should maintain sufficient records to allow a limit to be set for the number of pregnancies for which a given donor is responsible," the ASRM states on its website. California Cryobank, which has claimed to have the largest selection of sperm and egg donations in the country, states on its website that it closely monitors donors to limit the total number of family units to 20 to 30 worldwide. "Limiting donor vials is an important part of the process," the bank noted. The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all sperm donors undergo a physical exam, complete a questionnaire, provide their medical history, and undergo screenings for infectious diseases at an FDA-approved lab. In addition, the ASRM suggests that donors undergo psychological and genetic screening, and also recommends infectious-disease testing of the recipient and the recipient's sexually intimate partners, per its website. For more Health articles, visit "Legal consultation and laws may vary by state," the organization notes. At California Cryobank, donors must be tested for infectious diseases, undergo genetic screening, get a psychological assessment and criminal background check, and receive screening for the Zika virus, according to the bank's article source: Sperm donor's genetic mutation linked to cancer in 10 conceived children
Fox News
31-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Sperm donor's genetic mutation linked to cancer in 10 conceived children
Sperm from a single donor in Europe has reportedly been used to conceive at least 67 pregnancies, although the donor carried a rare cancer-causing mutation. The donor's mutation has been linked to cancer diagnoses in 10 of these children, according to a report by The Guardian. The case was brought to light after two families separately contacted their fertility clinics after their children's cancer diagnoses were linked to a rare genetic variant called TP53. A mutation in the TP53 gene causes Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which increases the risk of developing cancer. Cleveland Clinic states that this disorder comes with a 90% chance of developing some type of cancer by age 60, and a 50% chance by the age of 40. The European Sperm Bank, the sperm supplier, confirmed that this variant was present in some of the donor's sperm. The Guardian reported that the rare variant was "not known to be linked to cancer at the time of donation in 2008." The genetic variant reportedly would not have been detectable through standard screening, and the donor is said to currently be in good health. "The identified mutation is one that could not have been detected by the screening methods we use in accordance with regulations." Dr Edwige Kasper, a biologist at Rouen University Hospital in France, presented this case at the European Society of Human Genetics' annual conference in Milan last week, commenting on the need for a European limit on the number of births or families for a single donor. "We can't do whole-genome sequencing for all sperm donors – I'm not arguing for that," she told The Guardian. "But this is the abnormal dissemination of genetic disease. Not every man has 75 children across Europe." Kasper analyzed the mutation in her lab, concluding that it was most likely cancer-causing and that children born from this donor should "receive genetic counseling." The research-turned-investigation tracked down 67 children from 46 families in eight European countries. The children were tested, with the variant detected in 23 of them. The 10 who had been diagnosed with cancer reportedly included cases of leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, the European Sperm Bank stated that donor-assisted reproduction "generally remains a significantly safer alternative" than reproduction without genetic screening. The bank added that sperm donors undergo a "comprehensive health screening," which includes an in-depth medical examination, a review of the donor's family medical history and "extensive" testing for genetic and infectious diseases. "However, it's not possible to rule out all risks — and, in this particular case, the identified mutation is one that could not have been detected by the screening methods we use in accordance with regulations and would require specialized genetic testing," the group noted. Julie Paulli Budtz, VP. of corporate communications at the European Sperm Bank, expressed to Fox News Digital that they are "deeply affected by this case." "The donor has been thoroughly tested even beyond the required standards, but preventative genetic screening is reaching its limits here," she said. "Every human being has about 20,000 genes, and it is scientifically simply not possible to detect disease-causing mutations in a person's gene pool if you don't know what you are looking for." Budtz noted that the European Sperm Bank welcomes "continued dialogue" regarding setting an "internationally binding family limit," which they have advocated for "on several occasions, also at EU level." "This is also why, in addition to complying with national pregnancy limits, we have proactively implemented our own international limit of 75 families per donor," she added. In the U.S., there is no official legal limit on how many sperm donations one man can make. However, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommends that donors are limited to 25 live births within each population area of 800,000 people. "Institutions, clinics and sperm banks should maintain sufficient records to allow a limit to be set for the number of pregnancies for which a given donor is responsible," the ASRM states on its website. "Limiting donor vials is an important part of the process." California Cryobank, which has claimed to have the largest selection of sperm and egg donations in the country, states on its website that it closely monitors donors to limit the total number of family units to 20 to 30 worldwide. "Limiting donor vials is an important part of the process," the bank noted. The U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all sperm donors undergo a physical exam, complete a questionnaire, provide their medical history, and undergo screenings for infectious diseases at an FDA-approved lab. In addition, the ASRM suggests that donors undergo psychological and genetic screening, and also recommends infectious-disease testing of the recipient and the recipient's sexually intimate partners, per its website. For more Health articles, visit "Legal consultation and laws may vary by state," the organization notes. At California Cryobank, donors must be tested for infectious diseases, undergo genetic screening, get a psychological assessment and criminal background check, and receive screening for the Zika virus, according to the bank's website.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctor issues urgent plea as sperm donor used to conceive 67 kids passes cancer-causing gene on to them - 10 now confirmed to have the disease
A doctor has issued an urgent plea after it was revealed a sperm donor used to conceive at least 67 children across Europe has passed on a rare cancer-causing mutation. Around 23 of those conceived from the donor's sperm between 2008 and 2015 have been found to carry a variant in the TP53 gene which provides instructions for making tumour proteins. And 10 of these children have already been diagnosed with cancers such as leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The case was described by Dr Edwige Kasper, a biologist at Rouen University Hospital in France, as an 'abnormal dissemination of genetic disease'. She urged The Guardian: 'We need to have a European limit on the number of births or families for a single donor. 'We can't do whole-genome sequencing for all sperm donors – I'm not arguing for that,' she added. 'But this is the abnormal dissemination of genetic disease. Not every man has 75 children across Europe.' The shocking revelation came to light when two separate families contacted their fertility clinics after their children were diagnosed with cancers connected to the a variant in the TP53 gene. Analysis by the European Sperm Bank which supplied the sperm confirmed that the rare variant was present in some of the donor's sperm. But they emphasised that it was not known to be linked to cancer at the time the sperm was donated in 2008 and it would not have been detected using standard screening techniques. Furthermore, the donor is thought to be in good health. The European Sperm Bank said that more than 67 children had been conceived using the donor's sperm, but that its policy does not allow them to confirm exact numbers of children for a specific donor. It said all of the relevant clinics had been alerted. Julie Paulli Budtz, a spokesperson for the European Sperm Bank, said: 'We are deeply affected by this case.' Although the donor had been thoroughly tested, she said that 'it is scientifically simply not possible to detect disease-causing mutations in a person's gene pool if you don't know what you are looking for'. She added: 'We welcome continued dialogue on setting an internationally mandated family limit, and have advocated for this on several occasions. 'This is also why we have proactively implemented our own international limit of 75 families per donor.' It is suggested that children who have the mutated TP53 gene undergo whole body and brain MRI scans. They are also advised to have regular breast and abdomen ultrasounds throughout adulthood. The case has sparked questions about the challenge of tracing the families affected and the lack of internationally agreed limits surrounding the use of a single sperm donor. Many European countries have their own limits on either the number of families that can use a donor or the number of children that can be conceived using the same donor. Current UK law allows for sperm from a single donor to be used to create a maximum of 10 families.
The Independent
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Sperm donor with cancer-causing gene passes on disease to 10 children
A sperm donor who has been used to conceive at least 67 children across Europe had a rare cancer -causing mutation, with 10 of the children developing the disease. Twenty-three of the children, conceived between 2008 and 2015 across eight countries, have now been found to carry the variant, while some have been diagnosed with cancers such as leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The case has raised concerns about the lack of internationally agreed limits on the use of a single sperm donor, and the difficulty in tracing a large number of families to inform them of a serious medical issue. The news was uncovered after two separate families contacted their fertility clinics becaues their children had developed cancers that were linked to a genetic variant called TP53. An analysis by the European Sperm Bank, who supplied the sperm, confirmed that the variant was present but was not known to be linked to cancer at the time of donation in 2008. Dr Edwige Kasper, a biologist at Rouen university hospital in France, said: 'We need to have a European limit on the number of births or families for a single donor. 'We can't do whole-genome sequencing for all sperm donors – I'm not arguing for that,' she added. 'But this is the abnormal dissemination of genetic disease. Not every man has 75 children across Europe.' She continued: 'I analysed the variant using population and patient databases, computer prediction tools and the results of functional trials and came to the conclusion that the variant was probably cancer-causing and that children born from this donor should receive genetic counselling.' Children who have been shown to have the gene are advised to have whole body and brain MRI scans. They are also recommend to have breast and abdomen ultrasounds as adults. Julie Paulli Budtz, a spokesperson for the European Sperm Bank, told The Guardian: 'We are deeply affected by this case.' She said the donor had been thoroughly tested but that 'it is scientifically simply not possible to detect disease-causing mutations in a person's gene pool if you don't know what you are looking for'. She added: 'We welcome continued dialogue on setting an internationally mandated family limit and have advocated for this on several occasions. This is also why we have proactively implemented our own international limit of 75 families per donor.'
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Sperm from cancer-risk donor used to conceive at least 67 children across Europe
The sperm of a man carrying a rare cancer-causing mutation was used to conceive at least 67 children, 10 of whom have since been diagnosed with cancer, in a case that has highlighted concerns about the lack of internationally agreed limits on the use of donor sperm. Experts have previously warned of the social and psychological risks of sperm from single donors being used to create large numbers children across multiple countries. The latest case, involving dozens of children born between 2008 and 2015, raises fresh concerns about the complexity of tracing so many families when a serious medical issue is identified. 'We need to have a European limit on the number of births or families for a single donor,' said Dr Edwige Kasper, a biologist at Rouen university hospital in France, who presented the case at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics in Milan. 'We can't do whole-genome sequencing for all sperm donors – I'm not arguing for that,' she added. 'But this is the abnormal dissemination of genetic disease. Not every man has 75 children across Europe.' The case came to light when two families independently contacted their fertility clinics after their children developed cancers that appeared to be linked to a rare genetic variant. The European Sperm Bank, which had supplied the sperm, confirmed that the variant in a gene called TP53 was present in some of the donor's sperm. The rare variant was not known to be linked to cancer at the time of donation in 2008, would not have been detectable using standard screening techniques, and the donor is understood to be in good health. However, analysis by Kasper's lab concluded that the mutation was likely to cause Li-Fraumeni syndrome, one of the most severe inherited predispositions to cancer. Kasper said: 'I analysed the variant using population and patient databases, computer prediction tools and the results of functional trials and came to the conclusion that the variant was probably cancer-causing and that children born from this donor should receive genetic counselling.' Simultaneously, a number of genetics and paediatric departments across Europe were investigating their own cases, leading to 67 children from 46 families in eight European countries being tested. The variant was found in 23 children, 10 of whom have been diagnosed with cancer, including cases of leukaemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Children with the risk gene are advised to be monitored with regular whole-body MRI scans, MRI scans of the brain and, as adults, of the breast and ultrasound examination of the abdomen. The European Sperm Bank, which applies a worldwide limit of 75 families for each sperm donor, said more than 67 children had been conceived using the donor's sperm, but that its policy was to not confirm exact numbers of children for a specific donor. It said all of the relevant clinics had been alerted. Kasper said this remained a concern. 'Is 67 the total? It's a really good question that I've asked the sperm bank. They didn't want to tell me the denominator of the births for this donor,' she said. Prof Nicky Hudson, of De Montfort University in Leicester, said the case highlighted the complexity of the challenges that could arise when human gametes were shipped between countries and used for large numbers of recipients. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion 'The important issues at stake here relate to the large number of affected children – which would be limited if only used within one country according to local limits – and the challenge of tracing the families, who can now span multiple countries,' Hudson said. 'Whilst these kinds of cases have thankfully been rare, we need to consider ways to limit the possibility of this scenario becoming more frequent in future by coordinating international practice. At the very least we need better systems for tracking donor usage and of informing recipients of this.' Julie Paulli Budtz, a spokesperson for the European Sperm Bank, said: 'We are deeply affected by this case.' She said the donor had been thoroughly tested but that 'it is scientifically simply not possible to detect disease-causing mutations in a person's gene pool if you don't know what you are looking for'. She added: 'We welcome continued dialogue on setting an internationally mandated family limit and have advocated for this on several occasions. This is also why we have proactively implemented our own international limit of 75 families per donor.'
