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26 Sw. U. L. Rev. 1133 (1996-1997)
Embryo Theft: The Misappropriation of Human Eggs at an Irvine Fertility Clinic Has Raised a Host of New Legal Concerns for Infertile Couples Using New Reproductive Technologies

handle is hein.journals/swulr26 and id is 1153 raw text is: EMBRYO THEFT: THE
MISAPPROPRIATION OF HUMAN
EGGS AT AN IRVINE FERTILITY
CLINIC HAS RAISED A HOST
OF NEW LEGAL CONCERNS FOR
INFERTILE COUPLES USING NEW
REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
I. INTRODUCTION
Allegations that doctors misappropriated numerous fertilized
eggs at a preeminent fertility clinic in California1 illuminate the
extraordinary legal and ethical challenges created by medical ad-
vancements in reproductive technology.2 The clinic was the Univer-
sity of California Irvine's (UCI) Center for Reproductive Health
and the allegations involved more than thirty patients.' This particu-
lar scenario has never before been addressed by any court, nor has the
legislature previously enacted any law which specifically addresses the
1. The alleged misconduct took place at the University of California at Irvine (UCI)
Center for Reproductive Health. These allegations will be collectively referred to in this com-
ment as the Irvine scandal.
2. Julie Marquis et al., Egg Misuse May Have Involved 30 More Patients, UCI Reports,
L.A. TIMES (Orange County ed.), July 6, 1995, at Al.
3. Tina Nguyen, Fertility Suit Brings Tustin Couple Back to Court, L.A. TIMES (Orange
County ed.), Nov. 10, 1995, at B4 (U.C. Irvine has accused the three doctors of misappropriating
eggs and embryos of at least 35 women and some documents contend twice that number were
victimized); Julie Marquis & Tina Nguyen, List May Show Larger Scandal at UCI Clinic, L.A.
TIMES (Orange County ed.), Nov. 5, 1995, at B1 (at least 60 may have been victims of improper
egg and embryo transfers).

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