Sunshine and Secrets: The hidden side of IVF

About this episode

The episode explores the hidden issues surrounding IVF in Northern Cyprus, focusing on donor anonymity and parental concerns.

What happens when the sperm or egg donor you choose isn’t the one you get? Northern Cyprus is a sun-soaked haven for affordable IVF. But behind the glossy clinic websites, parents are discovering their chosen sperm or egg donors might not have been used. For File on 4 Investigates Anna Collinson follows parents searching for answers and children wondering where they have come from. File on 4 Investigates Sunshine & Secrets: The hidden side of IVF Producer: Jo Adnitt Executive Producer: Rob Brown Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Production Co-ordinator: Tim Fernley Editor: Tara McDermott Details of organisations offering information and support with infertility are available on the Pregnancy related issues page at bbc.co.uk/actionline.

People in this episode

Host: Anna Collinson

Topics covered

• IVF
• donor anonymity
• infertility
• parenting
• medical ethics

Keywords

• IVF
• sperm donor
• egg donor
• Northern Cyprus
• infertility
• parenting
• medical ethics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4

Places: Northern Cyprus

More episodes of File on 4 Investigates

• Tricked into pregnancy? The Liv Nervo story · June 9, 2026 · 38 min
• Hair Strand Tests in the Family Court · May 26, 2026 · 37 min
• Adding Up: How Councils meet the costs of Special Educational Needs · May 19, 2026 · 37 min
• Locked and Downloaded: The rise in 3D printed guns · May 12, 2026 · 38 min
• Duped in Dubai · May 5, 2026 · 39 min
• Searching for Soldier Dad · April 28, 2026 · 37 min