A BBC investigation suggests that at least 30 children, most of whom are British, may have been conceived through IVF treatment in northern Cyprus using sperm or egg donors other than those chosen by their parents. The parents involved suspect they did not receive their selected donors.
Many parents stated they carefully selected anonymous donors based on various criteria, including medical history, appearance, personality, education, and hobbies. However, they now have concerns that the requested donors may not have been used in their fertility treatments.
Half of the 30 children identified in the investigation were born from procedures at the Dogus IVF Centre. Three individuals – Dr Firdevs Uguz Tip, Dr Sevket Alpturk, and patient co-ordinator Julie Hodson – were involved in the care of many of these patients at Dogus. Parents suspect these staff members may have misled them, though Dr Firdevs denies any wrongdoing, and neither Dr Alpturk nor Ms Hodson have responded to questions.
The world's largest sperm bank, Cryos International, has reportedly blacklisted the Dogus clinic since 2016. Eleven of the 30 children have undergone commercial DNA tests, which indicate they have inherited genetic ancestry from Turkey or surrounding countries, suggesting their parents' chosen donors were not used.
Northern Cyprus is a territory where EU laws do not apply and is only legally recognised by Turkey. Clinics there are described as loosely regulated, offering low prices, high success rates, and a wide selection of donors. The territory's Ministry of Health stated it had launched an official investigation in response to earlier allegations.