A BBC investigation has identified at least 30 children, predominantly British nationals, who may have been conceived at fertility clinics in northern Cyprus through IVF procedures using donors other than those selected by their parents. The findings represent an expansion of an earlier investigation conducted earlier this year that initially uncovered seven cases of suspected donor misidentification.
Parents reported selecting donors based on detailed information including medical history, physical characteristics, personality traits, education, and hobbies before undergoing treatment. However, they subsequently developed concerns that the clinics did not use the donors they had chosen. Approximately half of the 30 affected children were born from procedures at Dogus IVF Centre. Three staff members at the clinic—Dr Firdevs Uguz Tip, Dr Sevket Alpturk, and patient coordinator Julie Hodson—were involved in caring for many of these patients. Parents suspect these individuals may have misled them about donor identity. Dr Firdevs has denied wrongdoing, while Alpturk and Hodson have not responded to inquiries. The BBC also learned that Cryos International, the world’s largest sperm bank, blacklisted Dogus since 2016.
Northern Cyprus, where European Union regulations do not apply, features loosely regulated fertility clinics that attract British patients with promises of affordability, high success rates, and extensive donor selection. Eleven of the 30 children have undergone commercial DNA testing, with results indicating genetic ancestry from Turkey or surrounding regions, suggesting the requested Western European donors were not used. The majority of these children were conceived between 2012 and 2024. When the BBC contacted Cryos International about one case, the company indicated it had no record of delivering sperm to Dogus despite the clinic advertising this relationship for years.
The territory’s Ministry of Health announced an official investigation following the initial disclosure, though it has not provided additional information. The UK Foreign Office updated its travel advisory to warn that fertility treatment in northern Cyprus carries risks due to insufficient regulation. Donor Conceived UK characterized the allegations as deeply troubling, emphasizing that knowing one’s donor origins represents a fundamental human right. Families affected by the situation report ongoing questions about their children’s biological origins and complete medical histories.
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