Jo Adnitt

An investigation estimates that at least 30 children, many born to British parents after fertility treatment in northern Cyprus, may have been conceived using sperm or egg donors different from those selected by their families. DNA testing found that 11 of 30 tested children had genetic origins inconsistent with the promised donor profiles. Around half of the cases are linked to Doğuş Tüp Bebek Merkezi, where patients raise concerns about the roles of owner Dr. Şevket Alptürk, doctor Dr. Firdevs Uğuz Tip and coordinator Julie Hodson. Cryos International says it never supplied sperm to Doğuş and blacklisted the clinic in 2016 after an alleged failure to place an order. The cases have prompted concerns about negligence, possible deception and inadequate regulation, while Northern Cyprus authorities have opened an investigation and the UK has warned that fertility treatment in the region carries risks.

At least 30 children, most British, are feared to have been conceived at northern Cyprus fertility clinics using sperm or egg donors different from those selected by their parents. Fifteen cases are linked to Dogus IVF Centre, where Dr Sevket Alpturk, Dr Firdevs Uguz Tip and patient co-ordinator Julie Hodson were involved in many treatments; Firdevs denies wrongdoing, while Alpturk and Hodson have not responded. DNA tests from 11 children suggest ancestry inconsistent with the promised Western European donors. Cryos International says it has no record of supplying sperm to Dogus, blacklisted the clinic in 2016 and suspended work with Firdevs's Miracle IVF. Fertility experts describe the scale of the alleged errors as potentially indicating negligence, deception or a systemic problem. Northern Cyprus's Ministry of Health says it launched an investigation, while the UK's Foreign Office has warned that fertility treatment there carries risks because of limited regulation.