The Health Ministry says a man who donated sperm anonymously in the central region of the country from 1974 to 1985 has been identified as a carrier of Lynch syndrome, a hereditary genetic condition that increases the risk of developing cancer, including uterine and colorectal cancer.
The ministry recommends recipients of sperm donations during these years inform their offspring so that they can consult with a genetic laboratory.
Until the mid-1980s, before the establishment of sperm banks, sperm donations were made in various fertility clinics with complete confidentiality of the donors’ and recipients’ details.
The donor’s descendants have a 50 percent risk of being carriers of the mutation. Carriers can enroll in a monitoring program aimed at early detection of cancer, to enable diagnosis and treatment.
The ministry says individuals can obtain additional information through their health management organization.
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