BBC investigation reveals fertility treatment scandal at Dogus IVF Centre in northern Cyprus

A recent investigation by the BBC has uncovered that at least 30 children, primarily of British origin, may have been conceived using donor sperm or eggs different from those specifically selected by their parents. The families involved had carefully chosen anonymous donors based on medical history, physical appearance, personality, and education, but later grew suspicious of the results. Approximately half of these cases are linked to the Dogus IVF Centre located in the occupied area of Cyprus, with most procedures occurring between 2012 and 2024. DNA testing of 11 children revealed genetic origins from Turkey or neighboring regions, reinforcing parental concerns.

The scandal follows an initial report from March 2026 that first highlighted seven similar cases. Reports indicate that the facility has been blacklisted by the world's largest sperm bank, Cryos International, since 2016. Furthermore, authorities arrested a man in May at the Ercan (Tymbou) airport for the illegal transport of four human embryos, raising broader concerns about a potential illicit network operating in the region.

In response to these developments, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has updated its travel advice for Cyprus. It now warns that fertility treatments in northern Cyprus carry significant risks, as these clinics do not operate under the same regulatory framework as those in the United Kingdom. Local political figures in the occupied territory have called on the health authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into these allegations.