Top IVF clinic gives woman wrong embryos
A leading Hong Kong IVF clinic has admitted implanting two embryos in the wrong woman.
Victory ART Laboratory blamed human error for the blunder. Hong Kong's government has so far not acted on calls for the hospital's licence to be revoked.
The city's Council on Human Reproductive Technology ruled the mistake was not part of a systemic failure. It blamed a junior embryologist who failed to check the labelling of the embryos.
When the mistake was discovered the embryos were removed. The two women affected are receiving compensation.
There was widespread anger on internet forums from people using IVF. Some parents with children implanted by the clinic are demanding DNA tests amid fears the error has happened before.
The IVF clinic is one of a group whose patients include several Hong Kong celebrities. The company also has facilities in Malaysia and the Philippines. It said everyone involved was being offered counselling.
Gabriel Leung, acting secretary for food and health, defended the decision not to suspend the clinic. He told the Hong Kong Standard: "We respect and note the outcome of the investigation and the decision of the council.
"We believe that due process has been followed, and the department of health will continue to assist the council in the enforcement."
Mr Leung said a set of laws was already governing the operations of reproductive centres, adding: "I believe the ordinance itself has a comprehensive set of guidance and stipulations to reach all operatives relating to human reproductive technology."
The clinic said the problem with the checking procedure had been rectified by introducing a double-check method on every step involved. The embryologist involved has been reassigned to other duties.
