At least 30 children, most of them British, are suspected of being conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments in Northern Cyprus using the wrong sperm or egg donors. The parents of these children claim they did not receive the donors they had carefully selected before the treatment. They say their choices were based on important data such as the donors’ medical history, appearance, personality, education and interests.
The case is part of a BBC investigation that uncovered the first seven cases earlier this year. Since the investigation was published, dozens of other families have contacted the BBC, raising similar concerns. Half of the 30 children identified were born after procedures at the Dogus IVF Centre. Some of the patients at the Dogus clinic were cared for by Dr Firdevs Uguz Tip, Dr Sevket Alpturk and patient coordinator Julie Hodson. The parents suspect they may have been misled by staff members. Dr Firdevs has denied any wrongdoing, while Alpturk and Hodson did not respond to BBC questions.
The investigation also revealed that Cryos International, the world’s largest sperm bank, has blacklisted the Dogus clinic since 2016. Eleven of the 30 children underwent commercial DNA tests. The results showed that they inherited genetic ancestry from Turkey or other countries in the region, raising suspicions that the European donors the parents had requested were not used.
Most of these children were conceived through IVF at the Dogus clinic between 2012 and 2024. Families now face great uncertainty about the identity of their children’s biological donors and their medical history. “These reports are deeply concerning. It is a fundamental human right for a person conceived by a donor to know the truth about their origins,” said Laura Bridgens, founder of Donor Conceived UK.
Northern Cyprus is a territory where European Union laws do not apply and is internationally recognised only by Turkey. Fertility clinics in the area offer treatments at relatively low prices, promise high success rates and offer a wide selection of sperm and egg donors. The territory has become a major destination for Britons seeking fertility treatment abroad.
After the first investigation was published in March, the Northern Cyprus Ministry of Health said it had launched a formal investigation. However, according to the BBC, authorities have not responded to repeated requests for information on its progress. The new cases have raised concerns about the way fertility clinics in the territory operate and the screening of sperm and egg donors.