Israeli Fertility Patient Discovers Child Has Different Biological Father After Hospital Mix-Up

A woman who underwent fertility treatments at Assuta Medical Center in Ramat Hachayal, Tel Aviv, discovered this month that her newborn son does not share the same biological father as her older child, despite both being conceived using the same sperm donor. The patient, who began treatment about three years ago, noticed a lack of resemblance between her two children and subsequently conducted a DNA test. The results revealed zero paternal chromosome match, indicating the second child was fathered by an unknown man unrelated to the chosen donor.

Represented by attorneys Anat and Gilad Ginzburg, the woman reported the incident to the Israeli Ministry of Health, describing the discovery as devastating. The hospital has initiated an in-depth investigation and notified the Ministry immediately upon receiving the complaint. Assuta stated that further tests are ongoing and that they are maintaining transparency and coordination with health authorities.

This case adds to previous fertility-related errors at Assuta facilities, including incidents in Rishon Lezion and Ramat Hachayal where genetic mismatches between children and presumed fathers were uncovered. Despite assurances from the Ministry of Health and Assuta that stricter oversight and revised protocols have been implemented, this new incident raises concerns about ongoing lapses in fertility treatment supervision.

The hospital is currently attempting to identify the biological father from among thousands of men treated at the fertility department, though the man is likely unaware that a child has been born from his sperm. The Ministry of Health is actively investigating the matter.

Summary: A woman treated at Assuta in Tel Aviv found her second child was fathered by an unknown man, not the selected sperm donor, prompting a hospital and Ministry of Health investigation into potential fertility treatment errors.