Danish sperm donor linked to over 200 children as families demand answers

At least 211 children worldwide have been conceived using sperm from a single Danish donor, known only as “Kjeld,” according to an investigation by Danish broadcaster DR. Families of the donor-conceived children are now publicly demanding transparency from European Sperm Bank, which distributed the sperm to clinics across 14 European countries.

The case has drawn global attention after multiple children fathered by the same donor developed cancer due to an inherited genetic mutation, TP53, present in the donor’s sperm. While some children, like 19-year-old Molly Green, did not inherit the faulty gene, others—including 19-year-old Julie Jepsen—have already undergone cancer treatment and face ongoing risks of recurrence.

Green, who learned of the case through media reports before being informed directly, called the situation “disgusting.” “I worry about the other children who may have inherited the mutation and their families,” she said. Jepsen, who has had two cancer diagnoses, echoed the demand for accountability: “If the damage is done, you might as well lay all the cards on the table.”

Geneticists treating the affected children have repeatedly requested the full count of donor-conceived children from European Sperm Bank, arguing the data is critical to locating all at-risk individuals and offering potentially life-saving genetic testing. The sperm bank has refused, citing GDPR privacy laws, stating that donor information is confidential and that requests for data should be directed to Denmark’s Patient Safety Authority.

The bank acknowledged collaborating with Danish and foreign regulators but maintained that the case—while serious—is not representative of its broader donor program. Since 2004, its 2,426 donors have, on average, helped 26 families conceive 30 children globally, with lower averages in Denmark alone.

Families from multiple countries, now in contact with DR, insist the sperm bank must disclose the total number of children per country to ensure all affected individuals are identified. Several countries that received sperm from “Kjeld” have not responded to DR’s inquiries, leaving the full scope of the case unclear.