Sperm donor with rare cancer mutation fathered nearly 200 children in Europe
by Beth Mole from Ars Technica - All content on (#722KN)
A single sperm donor who carries a rare cancer-causing genetic mutation has fathered at least 197 children across 14 countries in Europe, according to a collaborative investigation by 14 European news groups.
According to their investigative report, some of the children have already died, and many others are expected to develop deadly cancers.
The man-Donor 7069, alias Kjeld"-carries a rare mutation in the TP53 gene, which codes for a critical tumor suppressor called protein 53 or p53. This protein (which is a transcription factor) keeps cells from dividing uncontrollably, can activate DNA repair processes amid damage, and can trigger cell death when a cell is beyond repair. Many cancers are linked to mutations in p53.