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IVF clinics in northern Cyprus mistakenly use wrong sperm for families

Mar 31, 2026, 6:54 AM10
(Update: Mar 31, 2026, 6:54 AM)
Mediterranean island nation in Europe

IVF clinics in northern Cyprus mistakenly use wrong sperm for families

  • Families in northern Cyprus suspect that wrong sperm or egg donors were used during their IVF treatments.
  • Beth and Laura discovered inconsistencies in their children's appearance that led them to question their sperm donor.
  • The case raises ethical concerns about donor selection processes in fertility clinics.
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In northern Cyprus, families of seven children raised concerns that the sperm or egg donors used during their in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments did not match their selections. Beth and Laura, a couple who had undergone treatment at the Dogus clinic, became suspicious of the donor after noticing discrepancies in their children's appearances compared to the expected donor characteristics. After years of suspicion and anecdotal evidence from two other British families facing the same predicament, they decided to conduct DNA tests. The results prompted them to question the integrity of the medical procedures involving the donor selection process. Beth and Laura approached Firdevs, a clinic representative, who stated that she was not involved in ordering the sperm. This dismissal raised further doubts, especially considering the detailed descriptions of procedures listed on Dogus's website during the years Beth and Laura were claiming treatment. Notably, Firdevs claimed that she did not perform any IVF treatments at Dogus between 2011 and 2014, despite contradicting evidence from the clinic's documentation. As they grappled with the implications of potentially raising children with an unknown biological father, Beth and Laura expressed their commitment to honesty with their children about the situation. They reflected on the importance of understanding their children's heritage and physiognomy and how this knowledge is fundamental to their identities. Although two years have passed since the family initially discussed the donor uncertainty with their children, it remains a sensitive and personal topic for them. The concerns surrounding the mismanagement of donor sperm have sparked discussions about the ethical standards and regulations governing fertility clinics, particularly in regions like northern Cyprus that have gained popularity as destinations for assisted reproductive technology. Experts have raised alarms about the psychological implications faced by families who later discover that their donor choices may have been overridden by clinics and that the identity of their biological contributors might remain a mystery.

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