Statement on recent reports of a Danish sperm donor passing on a genetic disease to five children
26 September 2012
On 25 September it was reported that a man who had donated his sperm at a clinic in Denmark has passed on a genetic disease to five children.
It is known that 43 children have been born as a result of his donation and that his sperm has been exported to 10 countries both in and outside Europe.
Five of the children have been diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1). The symptoms of NF-1 can vary from mild skin pigmentation changes to severe vision threatening tumours.
The HFEA have contacted the Danish Health and Medicines Authority who have confirmed that no sperm from the donor in question has been imported into the UK.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) is the independent regulator for IVF treatment and embryo research. Our role is to protect patients and the public interest, to drive improvement in the treatment and research sectors and to provide information to the public and policymakers about treatment and research.
- The HFEA was set up in August 1991 as part of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA’s principal tasks are to license and monitor clinics that carry out in vitro fertilisation (IVF), artificial insemination (AI) and human embryo research. The HFEA also regulates the storage of gametes (eggs and sperm) and embryos. See www.hfea.gov.uk for further details.
Page last updated: 26 September 2012