30 children geared to have been conceived using wrong IVF donors
At least 30 children, most of them believed to be British, may have been conceived through IVF treatment in northern Cyprus using sperm or egg donors different from those selected by their parents. The allegations have emerged from an investigation into fertility clinics in the region, raising serious concerns about the treatment of international patients and the regulation of fertility services.
The parents involved say they carefully chose anonymous donors before undergoing treatment. Their decisions were based on detailed information provided by clinics, including the donors’ medical backgrounds, physical appearance, education, personalities, interests and hobbies. However, after their children were born, some parents began to question whether the donors they had selected were actually used during their IVF procedures.
The latest investigation has identified at least 30 cases in which parents believe the wrong sperm or egg donors may have been used. This is a significant increase from the seven cases .
Around half of the children were reportedly conceived following treatment at Dogus IVF Centre, a fertility clinic in northern Cyprus. Several individuals involved in the treatment of these patients have come under scrutiny, including doctors Firdevs Uguz Tip and Sevket Alpturk, as well as patient coordinator Julie Hodson.
One mother, identified as Rachel, said she recently discovered that the sperm donor used during her treatment may not have been the donor she had chosen. She described the situation as extremely shocking and unacceptable.
The parents have raised concerns that staff members at the clinic may have provided misleading information about the donors. Dr Firdevs Uguz Tip has denied any wrongdoing.
The investigation has also uncovered information about the relationship between Dogus IVF Centre and Cryos International, one of the world’s largest sperm banks. Cryos placed Dogus on its blacklist in 2016, adding another concern surrounding the clinic’s practices.
Northern Cyprus has become a popular destination for British and other international patients seeking fertility treatment. The region offers relatively low treatment costs, reportedly high success rates and access to a wide selection of sperm and egg donors. However, its regulatory system is significantly different from that of European Union countries.
Northern Cyprus is internationally recognised only by Turkey, and EU laws do not apply there. Fertility clinics in the territory have been described as operating under relatively loose regulation, raising questions about oversight and accountability.
According to previous reports on the emerging allegations in March, when seven parents came forward with concerns that they may have been misled about the donors used in their treatments. Following those reports, the Ministry of Health in northern Cyprus said it had opened an official investigation. However, the ministry has reportedly failed to provide further information.
Many parents said clinics had promised them donors who had undergone health screening and were from Western European backgrounds. Their suspicions reportedly grew after their children were born.
DNA testing has provided further evidence that has intensified these concerns. Eleven of the 30 children have undergone commercial DNA tests, with results indicating genetic ancestry connected to Turkey or nearby regions. According to the investigation, these results may suggest that the donors selected by the parents were not the individuals whose genetic material was ultimately used.
The allegations have caused distress among affected families, many of whom travelled abroad believing they were receiving carefully selected fertility treatment. The growing number of cases is now raising serious questions about donor identification, patient information, clinic accountability and the regulation of fertility services in northern Cyprus.
