At least 30 children, primarily British, are feared to have been conceived through in-vitro fertilisation treatments in northern Cyprus using incorrect sperm or egg donors. An investigation by the BBC reveals that parents suspect they did not receive the specific donors they selected based on detailed profiles including medical history, appearance, and education. The discoveries have prompted official investigations and renewed travel warnings.
IVF Scandal Sparks Fears for Dozens of British Children
Half of the affected children were born following procedures at a single facility: the Dogus IVF Centre. Three individuals involved in patient care at the clinic—Dr. Firdevs Uguz Tip, Dr. Sevket Alpturk, and patient coordinator Julie Hodson—have been accused by parents of potentially misleading them regarding donor selection.
Dogus Clinic Denials and 2016 Blacklist
According to BBC reporting, Dr. Firdevs denies any wrongdoing. Neither Dr. Alpturk nor Hodson responded to questions regarding the allegations.
Furthermore, records show that the world’s largest sperm bank, Cryos International, blacklisted the Dogus clinic since 2016.
Regulation Gaps Draw Vulnerable Patients
Northern Cyprus operates as a territory where European Union laws do not apply and is legally recognized only by Turkey. Fertility clinics in the territory have frequently attracted British patients by offering lower prices, higher claimed success rates, and a broad catalog of available sperm and egg donors.
Following initial BBC reporting in March regarding a small group of affected families, the territory’s Ministry of Health announced an official investigation. However, the ministry has not responded to repeated requests for updates or further information.
Commercial DNA Tests Expose Genetic Mismatches
As more families came forward, investigators identified consistent similarities across cases. Most parents stated that their clinics promised screened, healthy donors originating from Western Europe, only to harbor doubts after their children were born.
To verify these concerns, families of 11 of the 30 children utilized commercial DNA tests. The results revealed that the children inherited genetic ancestry from Turkey or surrounding regions, indicating that the requested donors were not utilized. The majority of these DNA-tested children were conceived at the Dogus clinic between 2012 and 2024.
Charity Outcry and Updated Foreign Office Guidance
The situation has left families grappling with uncertainty regarding their children’s true genetic origins and medical backgrounds. Laura Bridgens, founder of the charity Donor Conceived UK, called the reports deeply troubling, emphasizing that knowing the truth about one’s origins is a fundamental human right for donor-conceived individuals.
In response to the expanding scandal, the UK Foreign Office updated its travel guidance to warn that fertility treatments in northern Cyprus carry risks due to a lack of regulation, advising citizens to conduct thorough research before pursuing procedures in the territory.
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