UK Families Allege Wrong Sperm Used in Northern Cyprus IVF
A BBC News investigation has uncovered multiple cases where British families believe they received incorrect sperm or egg donations during IVF treatment in northern Cyprus. Several families have undertaken commercial DNA tests which appear to corroborate their suspicions, with some discovering their children are not biologically related to the selected donor, and in one instance, not biologically related to each other despite intentions to use the same donor.
Concerns Over Regulation and Misconduct
Northern Cyprus, a territory not subject to European Union laws and only recognised by Turkey, has become a popular destination for Britons seeking fertility treatment due to lower costs and less stringent regulations. However, this investigation highlights significant concerns regarding the oversight of its clinics.
Beth and Laura, a couple who sought treatment at Dogus IVF Centre, initially believed both their children were conceived using sperm from a single chosen donor, 'Finn'. Years later, DNA tests suggested neither child was related to Finn, and astonishingly, the children were conceived with sperm from two different donors, meaning they are not biologically related. The couple's attempt to contact Dr Firdevs Uguz Tip, who oversaw their treatment, and former patient coordinator Julie Hodson, for clarity, have largely gone unanswered or met with denials of responsibility.
Forensic genetics expert Professor Denise Syndercombe Court, after analysing accredited DNA tests, concluded it is highly improbable that either of Beth and Laura's children are biologically related to 'Finn'. Fertility specialists across Europe have described such multiple errors as highly unusual, suggesting potential negligence or even deception.
Impact on Families and Identity
The emotional impact on families discovering such discrepancies is profound. Nina Barnsley from the UK charity, the Donor Conception Network, states that such revelations can have a "significant impact" on mental health and a child's sense of identity. Beth and Laura's children, Kate and James, have had to come to terms with the fact they are not biologically related to each other or the donor they believed was their biological father.
Further cases involve other British families treated by Dr Firdevs, including at her subsequent clinic, Miracle IVF Centre, where they suspect incorrect egg donors were used. Dr Firdevs has claimed that donor choice at Miracle IVF Centre is exclusively made by the clinic and that patients are informed of this in consent forms, a claim disputed by the affected families who believed they had selected a specific donor.
Unlike the UK, northern Cyprus lacks an independent fertility regulator to monitor clinics and enforce standards. This regulatory vacuum allows clinics to operate with fewer checks and balances, potentially compromising patient safety and ethical practices. The territory's Ministry of Health has not responded to the BBC's findings.
