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A sperm donor carrying a genetic mutation that dramatically increases the risk of cancer has fathered at least 197 children across Europe – including in Greece – according to a major investigation by the BBC and 13 other European public broadcasters.
The mutation affects the TP53 gene, causing Li-Fraumeni syndrome, which carries up to a 90% lifetime risk of cancer, particularly in childhood and later breast cancer. Some children conceived from the donor’s sperm have already died.
The European Sperm Bank, which provided the donor’s sperm, said families affected had its “deepest sympathy” and admitted the sperm had been used to create too many children in some countries. The donor, who was healthy and passed standard screening, has since been blocked from donating.
Doctors reported seeing 23 children with the mutation out of 67 known cases, ten of whom had already developed cancer. The true number of affected children is unknown.
There has been no reaction from Greek authorities regarding the cases.