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Story perspectives

197 Children Conceived with Cancer-Risk Sperm Donor

12/10/2025

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Summary

Story summary

At least 197 children across Europe were conceived with the donor carrying a cancer-risk mutation.
Some of the children have died.
Few who inherit the mutation will avoid cancer.
The sperm was not sold to UK clinics, but British families used it in Denmark.
The European Sperm Bank expressed sympathy for affected families and acknowledged that the donor's sperm was used to conceive too many children in certain countries.

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Story summary

At least 197 children across Europe were conceived with the donor carrying a cancer-risk mutation.
Some of the children have died.
Few who inherit the mutation will avoid cancer.
The sperm was not sold to UK clinics, but British families used it in Denmark.
The European Sperm Bank expressed sympathy for affected families and acknowledged that the donor's sperm was used to conceive too many children in certain countries.