Sperm donor with rare cancer mutation linked to 10 cancer cases in children

A shocking case has emerged in Europe, where sperm from a single donor has been used to conceive at least 67 pregnancies, leading to 10 children being diagnosed with cancer due to a rare genetic mutation. The donor, who remains in good health, unknowingly carried a mutation in the TP53 gene, which causes Li-Fraumeni syndrome and significantly increases the risk of developing cancer.

The mutation was not detectable through standard screening methods at the time of donation in 2008, and the European Sperm Bank has confirmed that the variant was present in some of the donor’s sperm. Dr. Edwige Kasper, a biologist at Rouen University Hospital in France, presented this case at the European Society of Human Genetics’ annual conference, advocating for a European limit on the number of births or families for a single donor to prevent such incidents in the future.

In her analysis, Kasper found that the mutation was most likely cancer-causing and recommended that children born from this donor receive genetic counseling. The investigation tracked down 67 children from 46 families in eight European countries, with 23 of them testing positive for the variant. Tragically, 10 of these children had been diagnosed with cancer, including cases of leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

The European Sperm Bank stated that donor-assisted reproduction remains a safer alternative than reproduction without genetic screening. Donors undergo comprehensive health screening, including genetic testing, but in this particular case, the mutation was undetectable by standard methods. The bank expressed deep concern over the situation and emphasized the need for continued dialogue regarding setting an internationally binding family limit for donors.

In the United States, although there is no official legal limit on sperm donations, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends limiting donors to 25 live births within each population area of 800,000 people. California Cryobank, a prominent sperm bank in the U.S., closely monitors donors to limit the total number of family units to 20 to 30 worldwide.

Overall, the case highlights the importance of thorough genetic screening for donors and the need for stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. As technology advances, it is crucial for fertility clinics and sperm banks to prioritize the health and well-being of potential offspring by implementing stringent screening processes and limits on the number of families per donor. Only through these measures can we ensure the safety and health of future generations born through assisted reproduction.