Latest news with #spermDonation
Fox News
4 days ago
- 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.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Belgium says 52 babies born from sperm donor with cancer-linked gene
A sperm is shown as it fertilizes an egg, leading to reproduction in the human body. (Sashkin/ Brussels, Belgium — A Danish sperm donor with a potentially cancer-causing gene fathered 52 children in Belgium between 2008 and 2017, the country's health ministry revealed Friday, in a case potentially involving several other children across Europe. According to a recent investigation by The Guardian, at least 10 cases of cancer have been identified among the 67 children born from his donations between 2008 and 2017. The man was reportedly in good health with no known family history of cancer, and had been tested in line with regulations in place at the time of the donations. But he was later found to carry a mutation of the TP53 gene that causes Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a rare hereditary disorder that significantly increases cancer risks, including for breast cancer or leukaemia. An alert was issued in 2023 after cancers were identified in some children conceived from his donations at a clinic in Denmark, and Belgium's Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products was notified that year. But Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke has said he learned about the case on Monday, and the government has declined to say how many Belgian cases involve confirmed cancer diagnoses. The scandal has exposed apparent breaches of Belgian law, which since 2007 has limited a single donor's sperm to no more than six women. 'That rule was exceeded nationally and within individual centres,' the health ministry said. An internal review has identified 37 affected families in Belgium, leading to 52 births. Authorities noted that not all children necessarily reside in Belgium. The donor's sperm was also reportedly used in at least nine other countries - Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Greece, the Netherlands and Poland.
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.'
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
We conceived our baby with a Calpol syringe but can't both be on the birth certificate, so we're starting a petition
Sarah Bull, Digital Senior Reporter Published: Invalid Date, A COUPLE who conceived their baby with a Calpol syringe have been left fuming after being told they can't both be on the birth certificate. Kerry and Anna welcomed daughter Ezmai in March, after enlisting the help of a friend to be a sperm donor. 2 They've been documenting their journey on their social media pages, but caused controversy with a recent video, in which they were seen taking their newborn to officially register her name. However, they were stunned to find out that they couldn't both have their names as the parents on Ezmai's birth certificate. "We thought we'd come on for a little bit of a rant because we think it's really disgusting that Kerry is not allowed on the birth certificate, even though we were together when we conceived her," Anna said in a video on her TikTok page. "And the only reason she's not allowed on it is because 1, we're not married and 2, because we didn't spend thousands in a clinic." "Which one's better? Using a donor that you actually know, or just using someone random that you don't even know?" Kerry chimed in. "She might not have provided the stuff guys, but I used the syringe so technically I impregnated her!" "It's true, it's true," Anna said. "I think we should all sign a petition to get this over with, so same sex men, same sex females, whoever want to have a baby together, should be able to do it," she continued. "And it shouldn't be an issue. Do you know what I mean?" Kerry could be heard crying in the background as Anna said: "If you're together when you conceive and you plan to conceive together, you should be that parent. A Miracle Baby Story "I mean look at all the parents out there, right? Our kids for example, their dads have nothing to do with them. "But they're allowed on the birth certificate. "Where Kerry's here, does everything for me, and we have to fight for it. "I think it's absolutely disgusting. "So if you guys know how to start a petition or anything like that, please let me know because we are so disgusted with this right now." However, people in the comments section were quick to insist the pair should have known the law about who could go on the birth certificate before going to the registry office. " Biologically she isn't the baby's parent so why would she go on the birth certificate?" one wrote. "What did you expect????" another added. "I'm confused. She's not the father!" "Everybody knows you have to be married to be on the birth certificate. It's not new," a third sighed. "Go to the registry office tomorrow, get married then go register," someone else commented. "Birth certificate has nothing todo with who is the 'parent', it is about who biologically made you," another said, alongside a rolling eyes emoji.
