A second US couple is suing a fertility clinic after alleging that their embryo was mistakenly implanted into another woman. Anni and Ashot Manukyan from California say they discovered through DNA tests that the twins born to a New York woman in March were not biologically related to her or to each other.
The Manukyans have since taken custody of one of the boys, who they say is their biological son. The other baby allegedly originated from the egg and sperm of a third, unrelated couple. The New York couple, identified only as AP and YZ in court documents, gave birth to two boys who were not of Asian descent, as they are.
During the pregnancy, scans indicated the babies were male, despite doctors having used female embryos. The Manukyans, who had undergone IVF in August 2018, were asked to take a DNA test after the birth. Their lawsuit claims they discovered “much to their horror” that their son had been “implanted into a stranger that later became his birth mother.”
The California lawsuit alleges negligence, emotional distress, and a violation of state law prohibiting the use of embryos for purposes other than those consented to by the provider. A conviction on that charge could carry a prison sentence of three to five years. The New York couple has also filed a lawsuit against CHA Fertility Center, the clinic involved.
