A woman impregnated through IVF has given birth to a stranger’s baby after an embryo mix-up at a fertility clinic.
Monash IVF confirmed it became aware in February of the mistake at one of its Brisbane clinics, where one patient’s embryo was incorrectly implanted into another patient, and had since notified both affected families.
Monash IVF said an embryo from a different patient had been incorrectly thawed and transferred to the birth parents.Credit: Universal Images Group via Getty Images
In a statement on Thursday, the Melbourne-based fertility treatment company said the “human error” was discovered when the birth parents asked to transfer their remaining embryos to another IVF provider, and an extra embryo was found in storage.
“An embryo from a different patient had previously been incorrectly thawed and transferred to the birth parents, which resulted in the birth of a child,” the statement said.
Monash IVF chief executive Michael Knaap.
Monash IVF chief executive Michael Knaap apologised for the mistake and said he did not believe any other patients were affected.
“On behalf of Monash IVF, I want to say how truly sorry I am for what has happened,” Knaap said in the statement.
“All of us at Monash IVF are devastated, and we apologise to everyone involved. We will continue to support the patients through this extremely distressing time.
“Since becoming aware of this incident, we have undertaken additional audits, and we’re confident that this is an isolated incident.”
An initial investigation found the mistake was a case of human error, the statement said. An independent investigation is to be conducted by senior counsel Fiona McLeod.
“Monash IVF is committed to implementing all recommendations from this independent investigation,” the company said.
Monash IVF has been operating since 1971.Credit: Istock
“Monash IVF has also disclosed the incident to the relevant assisted reproductive technology (ART) regulators, including the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee, and voluntarily reported the incident to the new Queensland ART regulator.”
The company said it conducted regular compliance checks, including multi-step identification processes, to protect clients’ embryos.
Monash IVF settled a class action lawsuit last year after more than 700 plaintiffs accused the fertility provider of using a faulty test that incorrectly identified their embryos as abnormal, resulting in destruction of potentially viable embryos. Monash IVF agreed to pay $56 million but did not admit liability.
Founded in Melbourne in 1971, it achieved the world’s first IVF pregnancy in 1973, and Australia’s first IVF birth (the third in the world) in 1980.
The organisation grew out of pioneering research at Melbourne’s Monash University, and says it has since assisted in the birth of more than 50,000 babies.
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