A BBC investigation, backed by interviews and DNA testing, found that at least seven children born to UK patients treated in Northern Cyprus may have been conceived with donors other than those chosen by their parents.
One widely reported case involves Laura and Beth, who travelled to Northern Cyprus for IVF using their own eggs and a single anonymous sperm donor so their children would share a biological link. After their second child was born, noticeable physical differences led them to arrange DNA tests. Accredited testing later showed neither child was related to the selected donor and the two children were not genetically related to each other, indicating that different donors had been used.
Several other families told investigators they had similar concerns. Some suspicions first arose from commercial DNA ancestry tests and were later confirmed by accredited laboratories. Many of the cases appear connected to the same clinics or practitioners, raising questions about oversight, record-keeping and clinical practice in the region. In at least one instance, a clinic reportedly assured patients that sperm came from a reputable European sperm bank. Clinics and some named individuals have denied responsibility or declined to comment.
Northern Cyprus has become a popular destination for UK patients seeking fertility treatment because of lower costs, fewer legal restrictions and access to a broader range of anonymous donors. Certain services offered there, such as non-medical sex selection, are not permitted in the UK. Unlike the UK, Northern Cyprus lacks a strong independent regulatory authority for fertility clinics, which experts say may increase the risk of errors or misconduct.
Fertility specialists stress that donor mix-ups are extremely rare in well-regulated systems and describe such incidents as a serious breach of trust. Beyond procedural failures, families describe profound emotional impacts. Parents worry about how the revelations will affect their children’s sense of identity and genetic background, and support organisations warn of potential long-term psychological effects. Despite the distress, many parents emphasise that their children remain their priority, and some have started honest conversations with their children about their origins, underlining that family bonds extend beyond genetics.
