Dozens of families, primarily from the UK, suspect their children were conceived using incorrect sperm or egg donors following IVF treatments at clinics in northern Cyprus. At least 30 children are now believed to have been affected, with a significant portion of these cases linked to the Dogus IVF Centre.
Parents reported carefully selecting anonymous donors based on detailed profiles, including medical history, appearance, personality, and educational background. However, suspicions arose after their children were born, leading to concerns that the requested donors were not used. Eleven of the affected children have undergone commercial DNA tests, which indicate genetic ancestry from Turkey or surrounding regions, suggesting the intended donors were not utilized.
The majority of these DNA-tested children were conceived through IVF treatments between 2012 and 2024, predominantly at the Dogus clinic. The situation has left families with unanswered questions about their children's true biological origins and medical histories.
Rachel, one of the mothers involved, described the situation as "absolutely scandalous" after discovering she received the wrong sperm donor. Three individuals—Dr. Firdevs Uguz Tip, Dr. Sevket Alpturk, and patient co-ordinator Julie Hodson—are implicated in the care of many of these patients at Dogus. Parents suspect these staff members may have misled them, though Dr. Uguz Tip denies any wrongdoing, and the other two have not responded to inquiries.
Northern Cyprus is a popular destination for fertility treatments sought by Britons due to the region's lower costs, advertised high success rates, and wide selection of donors. However, the territory operates outside European Union laws and is recognized only by Turkey, leading to what is described as loose regulation of its clinics.
This issue first came to light in March, when a smaller group of parents shared similar experiences. In response to the growing allegations, the territory's Ministry of Health announced an official investigation, but has not provided further details. The world's largest sperm bank, Cryos International, reportedly blacklisted the Dogus clinic in 2016.
Laura Bridgens, founder of the charity Donor Conceived UK, stated that these reports are "deeply troubling" and emphasized that "It's a fundamental human right for a donor-conceived person to know the truth about their origins."