Gay couple had two children from 'different racial backgrounds in mix-up at IVF clinic'



An IVF mix-up has left a gay couple with two unrelated children of entirely different racial backgrounds.

The parents already had one child conceived via IVF and wanted the second baby to be genetically related by using sperm from the same donor.

But the clinic mistakenly used sperm from the wrong donor, meaning the baby is completely unrelated to the older child.



Fertility doctor Kamal Ahuja has said he cannot comment while an investigation takes place

The mistake became apparent only after the birth when the baby’s appearance was noticeably different from the other child’s.

Caron Heyes, a solicitor at Blake Lapthorn, which is representing the couple, said: ‘The damage to the younger child in the future, to the siblings and the family unit could be quite catastrophic.’



The mistake happened at London Women’s Clinic, which runs centres in Harley Street, as well as Wales and the North East.

The clinic is being investigated by the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, which said: ‘Our primary concern is for the patients involved and their confidentiality.



'They are understandably very distressed.’

Brenda Almond, emeritus professor of moral and social philosophy at Hull University and a former HFEA member, said: ‘These parents were entitled to have [full] siblings.

‘Had the children both been white... it might have gone unnoticed.’

London Women’s Clinic said it would be inappropriate to comment during the investigation.

Dr Kamal Ajuja, who is in charge of the clinic, has called in an independent expert to investigate the case.



The incorrect artificial insemination is alleged to have happened at the London Women's Clinic, which specialises in helping gay men and women to conceive

However, he said he could not comment while an investigation was ongoing.

It wouldn't be the first time that an IVF clinic has made a similar mistake.

In 2002, a white couple had mixed-race twins after an Asian man's sperm was incorrectly used to impregnate eggs at a fertility clinic managed by Leeds NHS Trust.

Another mix-up happened at a fertility clinic at Belfast's Royal Victoria hospital.

The couple's first child with the donor was fair skinned but their second child was black.