Xi Yu Reproductive Medicine Center suspected of mixing up embryo biopsy tissue samples.

The Chairman of the Human Reproductive Technology Administration, Leung Hin-suen, said that the Xiyu Reproductive Medicine Centre has experienced a suspected mix-up involving embryo biopsy tissue samples. During the assisted reproduction examination process, the centre sent embryo biopsy tissue samples to the CUHK laboratory for genetic testing. It found that the samples extracted from the embryos were suspected to have been confused and did not belong to the original parents. The incident involves two cases. The Administration considers the situation serious and has reported it to the police for follow-up.

The Administration said that after receiving a report from the CUHK laboratory last month, it conducted an on-site inspection at the centre. After meeting with the doctors involved, it considered that there were no procedural errors and that the medical records were in order. It was possible that, during the process of sending samples for testing, samples that did not belong to the parents had been inserted. After examination, the possibility of embryo mix-up had been ruled out, and further investigation is pending on whether human factors were involved. The purpose of the testing is to extract embryo samples, select normal and healthy embryos, and implant them into the mother. If errors occur in the course of testing due to mix-up, there is a possibility that abnormal embryos could be implanted into the mother.

The Department of Health said the centre did not report within 24 hours. The department has issued a regulatory notice requiring the centre to submit an investigation report within four weeks, explaining the cause of the incident and improvement measures, and requiring the centre to suspend the acceptance of new cases. The authorities have suspended 14 of the centre’s services. The centre is responsible for referring the cases to other centres for follow-up.