At least 30 children, predominantly from the UK, are suspected of being conceived through IVF treatment in northern Cyprus using the wrong sperm or egg donors, according to a new BBC investigation. Parents who underwent fertility treatments at clinics in the Turkish-occupied territory reported selecting anonymous donors based on detailed information, only to later suspect that the requested donors were not used.

The investigation has uncovered that half of these 30 children were born from procedures at a single clinic, the Dogus IVF Centre. One affected mother, who identified herself as Rachel, expressed her dismay, calling the situation "absolutely scandalous" after discovering she had received sperm from an incorrect donor.

Three individuals associated with the Dogus IVF Centre—Dr. Firdevs Uguz Tip, Dr. Sevket Alpturk, and patient co-ordinator Julie Hodson—are implicated in the care of many of these patients. Parents suspect these staff members may have misled them. Dr. Uguz Tip has denied any wrongdoing, while Dr. Alpturk and Ms. Hodson have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Further compounding concerns, the world's largest sperm bank, Cryos International, has reportedly blacklisted the Dogus clinic since 2016. Northern Cyprus, a territory not recognized by the EU and where EU laws do not apply, is a popular destination for Britons seeking fertility treatment due to its lower costs, claims of high success rates, and extensive donor choices. However, clinics there operate under loose regulation.

This new information expands upon earlier findings from March, which first highlighted allegations of parents being misled about donors. In response to these initial reports, the Ministry of Health in northern Cyprus stated it had initiated an official investigation but has not provided further details.

Since the initial revelations, more parents have come forward with similar stories. A significant number reported that clinics had promised screened donors from Western Europe, but suspicions arose after their children were born. Commercial DNA tests conducted on 11 of the 30 affected children revealed genetic ancestry from Turkey or surrounding regions, strongly suggesting that the intended donors were not utilized.

The majority of these DNA-tested children were conceived via IVF at the Dogus clinic between 2012 and 2024. Families are now grappling with uncertainty regarding the true identities and medical histories of their children's biological donors. Laura Bridgens, founder of the charity Donor Conceived UK, described the reports as "deeply troubling" and emphasized the "fundamental human right for a donor-conceived person to know the truth about their origins."

The UK's Foreign Office has recently updated its travel advice for northern Cyprus, issuing a warning regarding fertility treatment in the region. The implications of these findings are significant, raising questions about patient safety, regulatory oversight, and the ethical practices of fertility clinics operating in less regulated territories.