Global News Podcast (BBC World Service)

Episode: Cancer-causing gene found in donor sperm across Europe

Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Oliver Conway

Episode Overview

This episode of the Global News Podcast covers a sweeping Europe-wide health investigation revealing that nearly 200 children have been fathered by a sperm donor carrying a cancer-causing gene mutation. Other significant stories include dramatic updates from the Thailand-Cambodia conflict, Venezuela’s Nobel Peace Prize news, advances in tinnitus therapy, debate over font “wokeness,” a look at monogamy in humans, tributes to author Sophie Kinsella, and an interview with actress-turned-director Kate Winslet.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cancer-Causing Gene Mutation in Donor Sperm

• Topic Introduction (02:13):
  Every year, sperm and egg donations help thousands, but a Europe-wide probe has revealed a single sperm donor spread a dangerous gene mutation (TP53) linked to high cancer risk across 14 countries and nearly 200 children.
• Family Perspective (02:49):
  “We don't know when, we don't know which one and we don't know how many. I understand that there's a high chance it's going to happen, and when it does, we'll fight.” — Celine, a mother (via translation), 02:49
  “The most unacceptable thing for me is that I was given sperm that wasn't clean, that wasn't safe, that carried a risk, that hadn't been properly tested.” — Celine, 03:09
• Health Expert Analysis (03:33):
  • Widespread Use: Donor’s sperm was distributed via 67 clinics in 14 countries due to lack of cross-border fertility regulation.
  • Detection Challenges: Mutation couldn’t have been easily detected by routine screening at the time.
  • Regulatory Gaps: Countries limit the number of families one donor can help locally, but not internationally.
  • Psychological Impact: Hundreds of half-siblings, with psychological and legal complexity.
• Genetic Mutation Details (05:11):
  “This genetic mutation is normally incredibly rare. It's something called TP53…If it's defective, it causes a rare syndrome...increases your risk of cancer in your lifetime to up to 90%...life-changing diagnosis for these families.” — James Gallagher, Health Correspondent, 05:11
• Screening Limitations (06:46):
  • Only a tiny fraction (less than 5%) of donor applicants are accepted, but even thorough screening cannot eliminate every genetic risk.
  • “Many fertility experts have said...it is going to be impossible to reach a world where you can screen for every single genetic disease.” — James Gallagher, 07:16

2. Venezuela’s Nobel Peace Prize Story

• Background (07:35):
  Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado remains in hiding after challenging President Nicolás Maduro.
• Prize Acceptance (08:17):
  • “Thanks to you, the struggle of an entire people for truth, for freedom, for democracy and peace, is today recognized around the world.” — Anna Corina Sosa, reading on behalf of her mother, 08:25
• International Call (09:03):
  Nobel committee urges Maduro to resign: “Your power is not permanent. Your violence will not prevail over people who rise and resist. Mr. Maduro, accept the election result and step down.” — Peace Prize Committee Chairman, 09:12
• Opposition and Emigration (10:32):
  • Over 8 million Venezuelans have emigrated in the past 10 years. The award is viewed as a morale boost for those who feel forgotten.

3. Thailand–Cambodia Conflict Escalation

• Situation Report (13:23):
  • Half a million refugees fleeing border violence, mass evacuations, artillery and rocket attacks.
  • “Yesterday the Cambodians fired thousands of rockets over the border. The house I'm standing in front of was hit by one...populations have been moved to somewhere they can be safe.” — Jonathan Head, Southeast Asia Correspondent, 13:23
• US Intervention Prospects (14:50):
  • President Trump’s prior leverage through trade threatened, situation now “tougher,” little sign either side is ready to stop fighting.

4. New Sound Therapy for Tinnitus

• Background (16:46):
  • Over a billion people suffer; new therapies aim not to remove the noise, but to help sufferers live more comfortably.
  • “What we're trying to do is develop a form of sound that helps actually quieten the tinnitus persistently, even when you're not listening to them.” — Dr. Will Sedley, Newcastle University, 16:46
  • Promising trial results: reduction in tinnitus loudness with enduring effect after therapy ceases.

5. Font Controversy: “Woke” Typefaces

• Calibri vs. Times New Roman (24:36):
  US State Department returns to Times New Roman, criticizing Calibri as a “wasteful diversity move.”
• Designer Reacts (24:36):
  • “It's a hilarious and sad news item. I really don't understand it.” — Lucas de Groot, designer of Calibri, 24:36
  • “Calibri was designed to facilitate reading on modern computer screens…much better than Times New Roman.” — Lucas de Groot, 24:43
  • On decorum: “Maybe the serifs in Times New Roman can be seen as decorum...but Times New Roman is not really a good digital typeface.” — Lucas de Groot, 25:33

6. Human Monogamy in Global Perspective

• New Study (27:19): Humans are about 66% monogamous, similar to meerkats and beavers, much more so than great apes.
  • “From an evolutionary point of view, there's value in stepping back and considering our species as a whole and characterizing our mating system in a general mammalian context.” — Anthropologist Mark Dybal, 27:19

7. Tribute to Author Sophie Kinsella

• Legacy (29:00):
  • “She sold almost 45 million copies…with her best selling Shopaholic series, making her one of the UK's most famous authors.” — Lizo Mzimba, 29:00
  • “They relate to my characters. They, they sort of see themselves in the characters. They see those flaws and foibles. They think, oh, I've done that.” — Sophie Kinsella (archive), 30:10

8. Kate Winslet’s Directorial Debut

• Film: Goodbye June (31:19):
  • Family drama written by her son, starring Helen Mirren.
  • “There's just a lack of belief in women being able to do it actually. We're incredibly forward thinking, very resilient…we get things done. Just if there’s more of us doing it, then hopefully more will follow.” — Kate Winslet, 32:00
  • On “nepo baby” accusations: “Part of it actually is just teaching them to ignore the white noise of silly terms like Nepo baby, which you can't really do anything about.” — Kate Winslet, 33:13

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On gene mutation inheritance:
  “It is a life changing diagnosis for these families.” — James Gallagher, 05:40

• On the Nobel Prize as hope:
  “A lot of Venezuelans felt forgotten and abandoned by the international community. And I think this will give them impetus.” — Vanessa Bushluter, 11:41

• On climate of Thai-Cambodia war:
  “I don't sense in terms of actions either country is really ready to stop this yet. And I'm not sure this time that President Trump will have the same leverage.” — Jonathan Head, 15:36

• On directorial gender bias in film:
  “There's just a lack of belief in women being able to do it actually. We're incredibly forward thinking, very resilient... Just if there’s more of us doing it, then hopefully more will follow.” — Kate Winslet, 32:00

Timestamped Highlights

• Sperm donor genetic risk story: 02:13–07:35
• Venezuela Nobel Prize feature: 07:35–12:16
• Thailand–Cambodia conflict update: 12:16–16:13
• Tinnitus therapy breakthrough: 16:30–18:05
• Font “wokeness” debate: 24:36–26:44
• Human monogamy league table: 27:19–28:42
• Sophie Kinsella tribute: 29:00–30:27
• Kate Winslet interview: 30:52–33:41

Conclusion

This episode delivers urgent health news, international political developments, cutting-edge science, and cultural coverage with expert analysis and rich human stories. Especially striking are the personal ramifications of regulatory gaps in donor screening, the voice of Venezuela’s opposition, and the continued debate around national and cultural identity—from fonts to foreign policy.