IVF donor scandal reported in northern Cyprus fertility clinics

A BBC investigation has revealed that at least 30 children, mostly of British origin, were conceived using the wrong sperm or egg donors at fertility clinics in the occupied north of Cyprus. Parents report that despite selecting anonymous donors based on specific criteria such as medical history, personality, and physical traits, they suspect the chosen material was not used in their treatments. Approximately half of these cases are linked to the Dogus IVF Centre in northern Nicosia, which has been blacklisted by the global sperm bank Cryos International since 2016.

Accusations center on staff members at Dogus, including Dr. Firdevs Uguz Tip, Dr. Sevket Alpturk, and coordinator Julie Hodson, with some parents alleging they were misled. While Dr. Firdevs denies any wrongdoing, the other staff members have not responded to requests for comment. DNA testing in 11 cases confirmed discrepancies, revealing origins that did not match the profiles selected by the parents. Following these findings, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice, warning that fertility clinics in the region operate with minimal regulation compared to those in the UK. The UK does not officially recognize the self-styled “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” complicating legal recourse for affected families.