The Mixing of Sperm and Embryos

The Sperm and the Embryo - Doesn't quite sound right? Yes, I know, it is normally referred to as the sperm and the egg, but in these cases, we have mix-ups of a different sort.

In Connecticut, a clinic is being sued by a woman who alleges that her two fertilized embryos were mistakenly implanted into another woman. No word on the birth of any child.

Connecticut faces a $2 million potential lawsuit from a woman whose only two fertilized embryos were mistakenly implanted in another woman at a private clinic affiliated with the University of Connecticut Health Center.

The state has already paid a $45,000 settlement related to the April 2009 incident.

The clinic’s medical director – a state employee – received a $500,000 bonus last year despite the mistake.

Tammi Pavano, formerly known as Tammi Whipple, of Winsted, filed the $2 million claim with the Office of the Claims Commissioner on Feb. 22.

The claims commissioner granted permission to sue the state on July 6.

The woman who received the wrong embryos also filed a claim with the Office of the Claims Commissioner, but withdrew it July 6. Her lawyer, Vincent DeAngelo, declined to comment and requested that his client’s name not be included.

Pavano’s attorney, James Townsend, did not return calls for comment.

http://watchdog.org/6533/2-million-claim-pending-against-ct-in-embryo-mi...

And, over in Ottawa a fertility doctor is being sued for allegedly mixing up sperm samples and inseminating the wrong one into two of his patients.

According to Ms. Slinn’s statement of claim, Bridget’s father was supposed to be sperm donor number 3168. After Ms. Slinn learned that her daughter did not match him, she tested the vial of sperm that was used to inseminate her from Dr. Barwin’s clinic. The results showed that the vial from his clinic was contaminated with unidentified male DNA, the statement said.

In an interview, Ms. Slinn said she had no idea that there was even a risk of that kind of mistake when she went into her procedure nearly six years ago. “I carried on merrily thinking it was 3168,” she said.

Ms. Moore’s story is more complex. Now two-year-old Samantha was conceived through a surrogate, and the man she calls “daddy” is supposed to be her biological father. But due to the mix-up at Dr. Barwin’s clinic, her parents still don’t know who Samantha’s biological father is, the statement said.

“From Samantha’s perspective, we don’t know her medical history,” Ms. Moore said in an interview. “She may never care, but if she does I can’t fix that. As a parent we want the best for our children, we want to protect our children, we want to fix things for our children. This is something I will never be able to give her.”

DNA tests have ruled out the surrogate’s husband and other potential sperm donors.

Dr. Barwin is a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons and is certified to practice as a general physician. He specializes in reproduction and has nearly 30 years of experience. In 1997, he received the Order of Canada for his contributions to women’s reproductive health.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario/doctor-sued-over-al...