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Sperm donor passes on genetic disease

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Danish authorities are investigating a sperm bank that provided sperm from a donor suspected of carrying a rare genetic disease, health officials said.

At least five children conceived using sperm from Copenhagen's Nordic Cryobank have tested positive for the tumor disorder neurofibromatosis or NF1, The Copenhagen Post reported Tuesday.

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Questions about Nordic Cryobank arose after a pubic broadcast program accused the sperm bank of negligence for not immediately withdrawing sperm from a particular donor when it was reported a child conceived using his sperm developed NF1.

Managing Director Peter Bower of Nordic Cryobank told the Post the chance the illness was inherited from the donor were so small it did not warrant immediately suspending use of the sperm.

Bower said half of all cases of NF1, also called Elephant Man's disease, develop spontaneously and are not inherited.

He said the donor exhibited no symptoms of the disease was only tested after reports surfaced of a second child being born with the disease.

The incident has prompted a member of the Danish Parliament to call for greater control of the industry.

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