Heal Fertility's alleged embryo sample mix-up; govt calls unusual

A fertility clinic has been ordered to suspend its assisted reproductive services after alleged mix-ups of its IVF embryo biopsy specimens.

In-vitro fertilisation or IVF is an assisted reproductive procedure which fertilises a woman's eggs with sperm in a lab to create embryos.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau calls the incident unusual, and believes the time that the clinic took to report the incident is not ideal.

After the allegations came to light, HEAL Fertility in Central remains open for business.

When reporters asked whether clients can come to collect their embryo specimens, staff did not respond.

A notice posted outside says on May 26 and June 4, the fertility clinic received notifications from a diagnostic lab, reporting a mismatch between some embryo biopsy specimens and the clients.

It then began a re-checking process.

HEAL Fertility says that the original embryos stored in its liquid-nitrogen tanks were confirmed to be intact with no mix-up or damage -- and the irregularities were isolated to the processing of a small number of specimens.

The clinic has now fully suspended fertility treatment services, and is contacting clients currently receiving services to provide them with free consultation and genetic comparison.

For babies born through reproductive services previously received at the clinic, genetic testing can be arranged too.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau says the incident was not an ordinary medical accident.

Secretary for Health Prof. LO CHUNG-MAU: "Considering the fact that this is a little bit more complicated, the centre has decided to investigate further before submitting the reporting to the council. Whether we need to put in a timeframe for the reporting, we will consider that after we have the full investigation report for this incident."

Lo adds that biopsy and sample-handling procedures are subject to dual oversight, with one person performing the operation and another acting as witness.

The clinic was notified about the sampling issues in late May.

But they only notified the Council on Human Reproductive Technology in mid-June and stop accepting new cases on Monday.

Lawmaker Rebecca Chan says there should be mechanisms in place, specifying the reporting time limit to prevent delayed notifications of issues.

She said reference can be taken from the protocols under the Department of Health which have stipulated notifications of medical incidents within 24 hours.

Dr. Anita Chow, specialist in reproductive medicine, says clinics won't implant specimens with issues as these embryos can lead to failed pregnancy or even miscarriages and chromosome anomaly.

The clinic website indicates its IVF treatment packages start from 108,000 Hong Kong dollars.