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Australian IVF Clinic Admits Embryo Mix-Up Resulting in Baby Born to Wrong Mother

Monash IVF confirms human error at its Brisbane clinic led to a woman giving birth to a child not genetically hers, prompting an independent investigation and regulatory scrutiny.

Monash IVF has not named the couples involved, nor has it responded to questions about when the baby was born, or who has custody of the child.
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Overview

  • Monash IVF's Brisbane clinic mistakenly transferred another patient's embryo, leading to a woman giving birth to a child genetically unrelated to her.
  • The error was discovered in February 2025 when the birth parents requested the transfer of their remaining frozen embryos to another provider.
  • Monash IVF has publicly apologized, with CEO Michael Knaap expressing deep regret and assuring support for the affected families during this distressing time.
  • The clinic has launched an independent investigation, led by senior counsel Fiona McLeod, to identify how the error occurred and to strengthen safeguards across its operations.
  • The incident has sparked discussions about legal parentage, regulatory oversight, and the emotional toll on the families, with experts warning of potential legal precedents in Australia.