Cancer Gene Linked to Sperm Donor Raises Health Concerns Across Europe
Belgium reports 52 children conceived from a sperm donor carrying a potentially carcinogenic gene amid growing cancer diagnoses in Europe.
Fifty-two children were conceived in Belgium between 2008 and 2017 through a single sperm donor who is known to carry a gene potentially associated with an increased cancer risk, according to an announcement made by the Belgian Ministry of Health.
This revelation is part of a larger investigation affecting multiple European countries.
Recent reports indicate that a Danish sperm donor, possessing a rare mutation that could predispose individuals to cancer, has enabled the conception of at least 67 children across Europe, with ten cancer cases having been documented among these offspring.
The donor, who was tested according to prevailing regulations and had no familial history of cancer, was believed to be in good health prior to this information coming to light.
The alert regarding this matter was first issued in 2023 after several cases of cancer were identified in children conceived through this donor at a fertility clinic in Denmark.
The gene in question is linked to Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), an inherited condition that significantly elevates the risk of developing various types of cancer.
According to the Belgian Ministry of Health, the issue has implications for several other countries, including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Greece, the Netherlands, and Poland.
The Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products in Belgium was informed of the situation in 2023, but Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke stated that he only learned about the matter this week.
His office criticized the lack of timely communication regarding this significant health issue.
In Belgium, fertility centers report that a total of 37 families are affected, giving birth to 52 children conceived between 2008 and 2017; it is noted that not all families remain in the country.
Since 2007, Belgian law has restricted the distribution of gametes from a single donor to a maximum of six women.
The ministry has acknowledged that the limit was exceeded both nationally and at specific clinics.
The government has refrained from providing additional details on the number of cancer diagnoses linked to this donor.
This revelation is part of a larger investigation affecting multiple European countries.
Recent reports indicate that a Danish sperm donor, possessing a rare mutation that could predispose individuals to cancer, has enabled the conception of at least 67 children across Europe, with ten cancer cases having been documented among these offspring.
The donor, who was tested according to prevailing regulations and had no familial history of cancer, was believed to be in good health prior to this information coming to light.
The alert regarding this matter was first issued in 2023 after several cases of cancer were identified in children conceived through this donor at a fertility clinic in Denmark.
The gene in question is linked to Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS), an inherited condition that significantly elevates the risk of developing various types of cancer.
According to the Belgian Ministry of Health, the issue has implications for several other countries, including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Greece, the Netherlands, and Poland.
The Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products in Belgium was informed of the situation in 2023, but Minister of Health Frank Vandenbroucke stated that he only learned about the matter this week.
His office criticized the lack of timely communication regarding this significant health issue.
In Belgium, fertility centers report that a total of 37 families are affected, giving birth to 52 children conceived between 2008 and 2017; it is noted that not all families remain in the country.
Since 2007, Belgian law has restricted the distribution of gametes from a single donor to a maximum of six women.
The ministry has acknowledged that the limit was exceeded both nationally and at specific clinics.
The government has refrained from providing additional details on the number of cancer diagnoses linked to this donor.
