By Shari Hams and Mikaela Ortolan, ABC
Photo: 123RF
Australian fertility specialist Monash IVF has apologised after a woman unknowingly gave birth to a stranger's baby after the wrong embryo was transferred.
The major fertility company became aware of the mix-up in February after the birth parents asked to transfer their remaining frozen embryos to another provider.
"Instead of finding the expected number of embryos, an additional embryo remained in storage for the birth parents," a Monash IVF spokesperson said.
"[An] investigation confirmed that 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 woman was receiving treatment at a clinic in Brisbane.
Monash IVF CEO Michael Knaap said the clinic was providing support to both families involved.
"On behalf of Monash IVF, I want to say how truly sorry I am for what has happened," he said.
"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."
Monash IVF said it adhered to strict laboratory safety measures to safeguard and protect the embryos in its care and that the incident was the result of "human error".
"Since becoming aware of this incident, we have undertaken additional audits and we're confident that this is an isolated incident," Mr Knaap said.
Monash IVF has also commissioned an independent investigation into the incident.
Last year, Monash IVF settled a class action with no admission of liability, following claims it used inaccurate genetic testing and destroyed potentially viable embryos.
More than 700 patients across the country were involved in the class action which saw Monash IVF agree to pay a $56 million settlement.
IVF bungle reported to Queensland Health
In a statement, Queensland Health said the department had been advised of an incident at the Brisbane Monash IVF clinic.
A Queensland Health spokeswoman said the incident was reported to the department as the new Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Regulator.
"However, the embryo transfer occurred prior to Queensland Health becoming the ART regulator," the spokeswoman said.
The ART Act was passed on September 10 last year and followed an investigation into ART providers in the state by Queensland's health ombudsman.
"We will work with Monash IVF to reinforce safeguards in their Queensland clinics and ensure any risks are identified and mitigated," the Queensland Health spokeswoman said.
The ombudsman report, released last July, found the area that received the most complaints related to the collection, storage, identification and distribution of gametes and embryos.
'Unique to Australia but not the rest of the world'
Family creation lawyer Sarah Jefford, who specialises in surrogacy and donor conception law, said the incident was "just devastating".
"As far as I'm aware, this particular case is unique to Australia but is not unique to the rest of the world," she said.
"We have a few other cases [globally] where the wrong embryo has been transferred resulting in the birth of a child."
Ms Jefford said Australian families currently undertaking IVF treatment should have "some solace" in how rare the situation is.
"Science is what it is, but humans are using it," she said.
"There's systems in place to identify sperm, eggs and embryos.
"When it comes to fertility treatment, nothing is ever certain and in that case in some ways it's almost inevitable that there will be mistakes."
Calls for IVF patient counselling
Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counsellors Association Rebecca Kerner said she was shocked by the incident.
"My heart goes out to the poor families involved in this horrible mix-up," she said.
"I imagine it's pretty horrible for the clinic too, nobody wants to make these mistakes."
She said she had never witnessed a case like this before and understood it would cause "distress" to families currently going through IVF.
"I do think it's incumbent on clinics to provide additional support for patients right now," she said.
"Lots of patients are going to feel unsettled by this."
- ABC
