IVF undercover case

A panorama programme - IVF Undercover - which aired last night investigated recent allegations made against Dr Mohamed Taranissi in relation to IVF treatment given at two clinics in the UK.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have inspected both clinics run by Mohamed Taranissi - the Assisted Reproductive and Gynaecology Centre, and another unlicensed clinic which he ran for almost a year from December 2005.

Commenting, leading IVF expert Muiris Lyons who represents Natallie Evans in her IVF legal battle to use her stored frozen embryos said:

"The reported allegations are of great concern to patients who have undergone treatment at both of Dr Mohamed Taranissis clinics. Any one unsure as to whether they have been properly advised to undergo treatment or who believes that they may have paid for unnecessary treatment should consider their position carefully and may want to take legal advice about their position.

Figures released last week by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) under the Freedom of Information Act showed a catalogue of blunders at some of the country's top IVF clinics, including staff dropping embryos, eggs and sperm on the floor or samples being mistakenly thrown out with the rubbish. Failed storage equipment also meant that frozen embryos and sperm samples thawed which could in some cases lead to a family's last chance of having a natural child of their own being lost.

The figures show that between April 2005 and March 2006 140 incidents and near misses were reported to the HFEA. Of these 91 were categorised as Grade A being the most severe with 38 Grade B incidents and 11 near miss incidents. The report Driving Improvement which is available from the HFEA website confirmed that the most serious incidents include the loss of gametes (eggs or sperm) and embryos through dropping dishes or tripping or accidental disposal and that equipment failure compromised viable embryos.

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