A couple was left shocked and distressed after DNA tests revealed that their two children, conceived through IVF, were not biologically related to the sperm donor they had selected or even to each other. The incident has come to light from northern Cyprus.
According to a BBC report, the couple identified as Laura and Beth (same-sex couple), discovered the mix up nearly a decade after treatment. The incident has raised serious concerns about possible errors at the fertility clinic.
The IVF Journey
The couple has two children, Kate and James, both born through IVF at a clinic in Northern Cyprus. The clinic had assured them that it could import frozen sperm from the world's largest sperm bank, Cryos International, in Denmark. So, they had used their own eggs and carefully chose a healthy sperm donor named “Finn" of Danish origin.
Laura and Beth both had clearly instructed the clinic to use a specific sperm donor so their children would be biologically related. However, the couple was shocked after they discovered something was not right.
How Did They Discover The Mix Up?
"It was pretty soon after James was born that I knew something wasn't right," Laura told BBC. When their second child, James was born, his appearance raised concerns. The boy had dark eyes, dark hair, and olive skin, which looked very different from Beth and the chosen donor. This made the couple wonder if a mistake was made by the clinic.
After remaining in doubt for years, they finally decided to do DNA tests. The results were shocking as neither child was related to the donor “Finn.” The tests further revealed that Kate and James were also not biologically related to each other.
The parents got angry over the mix-up by the clinic, alleging that they did not run a proper background check. They tried to contact the clinic staff, including the doctor and coordinator, but they did not receive any response.
The incident sheds light on Northern Cyprus that has become one of the most popular destinations for UK people seeking fertility treatment. According to a BBC report, loosely regulated clinics in the region promise high success rates at low prices, attracting couples with fertility issues.
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