UK Families Allege Wrong Sperm Used in Northern Cyprus IVF
Concerns have been raised by a number of British families who allege that IVF clinics in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus provided them with sperm or egg donors different from those they had selected. DNA test results commissioned by these families appear to corroborate their fears, revealing instances where children were not biologically related to the chosen donor, or even to each other despite being conceived with the same intended donor.
Alarming Discoveries
One couple, Beth and Laura, discovered through DNA testing that their two children, conceived via IVF at Dogus IVF Centre in northern Cyprus, were not related to the specific Danish sperm donor, 'Finn', they had chosen. Furthermore, the tests indicated the children were conceived from two different donors and were not biologically related to each other. This finding emerged after years of suspicion, prompted by their second child, James, displaying physical traits inconsistent with the chosen donor's profile and his elder sister, Kate.
The BBC has spoken to seven families in total who believe similar donor mix-ups occurred, predominantly linked to clinics in northern Cyprus. The territory operates under a different legal framework than the European Union, lacking an independent fertility regulator to oversee clinics, maintain standards, or revoke licences, unlike the UK.
Regulatory Concerns and Clinic Responses
Northern Cyprus has become a popular destination for British individuals seeking fertility treatment abroad due to lower costs and procedures not permitted in the UK, such as non-medical sex selection. Clinics in the region are loosely regulated, raising questions about accountability when errors occur.
Dr. Firdevs Uguz Tip, who treated Beth and Laura at Dogus IVF Centre and later established Miracle IVF Centre, has denied responsibility for ordering sperm at Dogus and questioned the reliability of commercial DNA tests. She also stated that Miracle IVF Centre makes the final choice of egg donors, a point disputed by two other families who claim they were misled about their ability to choose a specific donor.
The Impact on Families
Fertility experts in the UK have described such errors as extremely rare, with multiple incidents involving the same medical team potentially indicating "negligence" or "deception." Dr. Ippokratis Sarris of the British Fertility Society expressed that this situation is "absolutely appalling" and unprecedented in the UK.
The revelations have had a profound impact on the affected families and their children. While acknowledging the emotional challenges, Beth and Laura emphasise their enduring love for their children, stating, "We're still a family even if it's not by blood." The Donor Conception Network highlights the significant mental health implications for individuals discovering their donors were not as believed, underscoring the fundamental importance of identity.