Belgium found himself in the midst of a scandal after it was revealed that a Danish sperm donor was born between 2007 and 2018, who was pregnant with 52 children with 37 Belgian women.
A genetic mutation known as TP53 indicates a significant increase in the risk of cancer.
Belgium has the so-called “Six Women Rules,” which sets legal restrictions for six families per donor. However, this was rarely implemented in practice as donations were made anonymously.
As a result, the infertility center was unaware that if each had used the same donor multiple times.
The Belgian government has decided to change existing laws and remove the anonymity provisions.
“It’s now all decks to work on texts for this purpose, and with this latest news, it’s even more important to make this happen,” Billy Beisse, spokesman for Health Minister Frank Vandenbrooke, told Euroneus.
“So this will definitely be pushed through under this government,” Buyse emphasized.
Resistance from industry
The MP of the right-wing N-VA party Frieda Zibbels introduced a bill a few months ago about removing anonymity. However, local media reported opposition from the industry.
This has to do with the rules of six women and how well this is implemented. Over the past three years alone, 22 rules violations have been identified.
Valerie Van Peel, president of N-VA who led the documents in the previous two legislatures, cited pressure from some fertility doctors to avoid taking action.
“Of course, there are doctors who have committed the offences themselves,” Ziebels said. “They don’t like lids that come off the jar.”
The proposal to remove anonymity also raised concerns that donors could be blocked.
However, Gijbels said that examples from overseas have proven that this is not the case. She pointed to France and decided in 2022 that donors of sperm, eggs and embryos would put their identity on the record.
“In France, they have de-anonymized and the number of donors has also increased,” Gijbels said.
I will withhold information
Vandenbroucke’s Cabinet was only informed at the end of May about the scope of the scandal involving Danish donors.
However, Federal Pharmaceuticals and Health Products (FAGGs), responsible for quality control and irregularities in donation, were recognized much earlier.
In November 2023, the agency received rapid European warnings about the Danish sperm donor and the fact that he carries pathogenic gene mutations associated with an increased risk of cancer.
Some affected mothers were notified of some of the mothers who were notified by the Fertility Centre in the following months. This was confirmed by Fagg.
“We were confused that Fagg didn’t immediately notify us. Initially, they didn’t let us know that medical risks had arisen, but we were also unaware of many of the victims,” Vandenbroucke told national media.
Earlier this week, 67 European children were thought to have this sperm in 46 families, and 52 Belgian children were allegedly affected. So far, at least 10 children have been diagnosed with cancer. Meanwhile, 23 was diagnosed as a genetic mutation, making her more vulnerable to widespread cancer development.
FAGG audits are carried out with a special focus on internal quality processes, enforcement, inspections, and external communication. The first results are expected after the summer.
Vandenbroucke also asked Fagg to check with families concerned that during that time the child had undergone genetic screening.
Finally, Vandenbroucke called for an improved system at the European level. “Because different allocations apply in all countries and no one knows how often foreign donor sperm is actually used.”
