Investigations Tie Danish Sperm Donor’s TP53 Mutation to at Least 197 Children Across Europe

Overview

• A multinational probe by public broadcasters including the BBC, DW and EBU partners identified at least 197 births linked to donor 7069, known as “Kjeld,” across clinics in no fewer than 14 countries over roughly 17 years.
• Genetic testing found the donor had gonadal mosaicism for a TP53 variant associated with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, with up to 20% of his sperm carrying the mutation that routine screening at the time would not detect.
• The European Sperm Bank blocked the donor in 2023 after confirming the variant in retained samples and notified authorities via the EU Rapid Alert System for Human Tissues and Cells.
• Many parents were informed late or not at all due to fragmented records and cross-border treatments, and regulators and clinics are still trying to contact exposed families.
• Several children conceived with the donor’s sperm have developed cancers consistent with Li-Fraumeni, and experts advise confirmed carriers to undergo lifelong surveillance with regular imaging and clinical checks.