The Brussels public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the fertility clinic at Brussels University Hospital (UZ Brussel). The investigation got underway after it emerged that some fertility clinics had exceeded the maximum limit of 6 recipients per sperm donor.
In May this year it emerged that 55 children in Belgium has been conceived using sperm from a Danish sperm donor that carries a carcinogenic gene. These children had been conceived by 39 women, far more than the permitted maximum of 6 per sperm donor. In the aftermath of the case involving the Danish donor it emerged that some clinics had made mistakes.
A central database for sperm donors has only been in place since January 2024. Clinics must register how many women have received sperm from a particular donor in the database. Previously clinics could only check their own data. At least three clinics used sperm from the same donor for more than six women. One of these is the fertility clinic at UZ Brussels.
As yet no examining magistrate has been appointed to the investigation. It is also not clear as to whether other fertility clinics are also being investigated.
In a statement UZ Brussel said that it had been contacted by the public prosecutor’s office with a request for clarification. The hospital added that “We are cooperating in a spirit of complete transparency.” It will not be making any further comment.
Earlier this week UZ Brussel announced that it was ending its partnership with Danish sperm bank ESB due to the issues that came to light in May.