Couple speak of horror of embryo mix up

A couple who suffered the horror of a mix-up in the embryology lab when they were going through IVF have been talking about their experience. Their only remaining frozen embryo was transferred to the womb of another patient by mistake, and she was then given the morning after pill in order to prevent a pregnancy.

It is hard to imagine how utterly devastating the impact of a mistake like this must be. When you are going through IVF treatment, you think of frozen embryos as your potential family, and to discover that one has been lost in this way is just awful.

Most clinics have stringent witnessing procedures in place, where embryologists are only allowed to move eggs, sperm or embryos around the laboratory if a second member of staff witnesses what they are doing and double-checks the labels. This mistake was blamed on a trainee embyologist who didn't follow the correct procedure. However, the blame lies further up the hierarchy than this - even the most junior and inexperienced member of staff should be aware of the importance of witnessing, and no one should be allowed to move embryos around the laboratory until they understand this. The University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff admitted gross failure, and whilst we must welcome the fact that the mistake was quickly recognised and reported, patients should be able to go to a licensed fertility clinic feeling confident that procedures are followed properly. You can read more on the BBC News website