An Israeli court has ordered genetic testing of several couples to determine the genetic parents of a two-month-old girl born after an embryo mix-up.
In September, genetic testing revealed that a woman who had become pregnant following IVF treatment at the Assuta Medical Centre in Richon LeZion was not related to the fetus she was carrying (see BioNews 1160). The Rishon Letzion Family Court has now ordered that genetic testing be conducted on four couples who received fertility treatment at the same clinic to determine whether they are the child's genetic parents.
Judge Hani Shira said that the couples 'should not be denied the possibility of finding out their connection to the minor child and in effect to be prevented the option of access to the courts,' and that her decision 'conforms with the minor's right to know her origin'.
Oshrit Abergil, a member of one of the couples the court has approved for genetic testing, said: 'If I find out that this is my baby, I will fight for her and I will want to raise her. I will not give her up.'
The Lod District Court previously ordered that genetic testing should be conducted to determine the genetic parents before the birth, but testing was halted by the Health Ministry and the birth parents were given legal custody of the baby following the birth (see BioNews 1165).
The court rejected the birth parents' request to delay the testing by several years. They intend to appeal the decision, saying:
'If the court accedes to these requests as well, it will be an opening to a dangerous slippery slope of hundreds of similar claims and could open a Pandora's Box whose end cannot be predicted. A situation that is contrary to the good of the minor.'
In addition to an appeal, the birth parents plan to sue the Assuta Medical Centre for $2.9 million for negligence and emotional distress. An anonymous former employee of the clinic claimed in September that she had witnessed negligent handling of embryos on several occasions while working there. The clinic has denied the allegations.
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