67 children born from sperm carrying cancer genes, 10 children have the disease

In Europe, sperm from a man carrying a rare cancer-causing mutation has been used to conceive at least 67 children, 10 of whom have been diagnosed with cancer, according to the Guardian .

The case was discovered when two independent families contacted fertility clinics after receiving results that their children had cancer related to a rare gene variant.

The European Sperm Bank - which provided the sperm - confirmed that the mutation is in the TP53 gene, which was present in some donated sperm samples.

At least 67 children in Europe have been born from sperm from a man carrying a cancer gene. Of those, 10 have been confirmed to have the disease. (Illustration: Unsplash).

At the time of donation (2008), this gene mutation had not been identified as cancer-causing by standard screening methods. The donor is currently in good health.

However, recent analysis from the laboratory of Dr. Edwige Kasper - a biologist at Rouen University Hospital (France) - has concluded that this mutation is likely to cause Li-Fraumeni syndrome. This is one of the most serious genetic disorders, increasing the risk of cancer.

According to Dr. Kasper, the lab analyzed this gene mutation through population and patient databases, using computer prediction tools...

"Finally, we concluded that this gene mutation has the potential to cause cancer. Children born from this donor need genetic counseling," the expert shared.

After receiving information from the two families, many genetics and pediatric departments across Europe also traced their clients, testing 67 children from 46 families in 8 European countries.

The results showed that 23 children carried the gene mutation. Of these, 10 were diagnosed with cancer, including leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Children with the risk gene are advised to have regular health checks.

The European Sperm Bank confirmed that more than 67 children have been born from this donor’s sperm. However, due to policy issues, the unit has not disclosed the total number of children born from the same donor. However, the bank has informed the relevant clinics.

"We are deeply saddened by this incident," said European Sperm Bank representative Julie Paulli Budtz.

The donor was thoroughly screened, but " scientifically it's impossible to detect a disease-causing mutation in a person's genome if you don't know specifically what you're looking for," Julie explains.

Currently, the bank limits one sperm donor to 75 families worldwide , but Julie said an international dialogue was needed to reset that number.

Experts have long warned of the social and psychological risks of sperm from a donor being used to help families in different countries conceive.

"We need a limit at European level on the number of births or families that each sperm donor can help," Dr Edwige Kasper told the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics in Milan.

Professor Nicky Hudson, De Montfort University in Leicester (UK), commented that the use of donated sperm for many recipients in many countries without appropriate limits could cause major consequences.

"Although similar cases are rare, we need to limit the possibility of this situation happening again in the future by re-coordinating the sperm donation and acceptance process around the world," she said.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/67-tre-sinh-ra-tu-tinh-trung-mang-gen-ung-thu-10-tre-mac-benh-20250524181011920.htm