Health secretary Lo Chung-mau on Wednesday described an incident where embryo samples were mixed up as "unusual", and said the fertility centre involved had violated a rule requiring it to quickly report the matter to authorities.

Heal Fertility has been ordered to suspend most of its services and submit an investigation report within four weeks, after embryo samples it sent to an external testing laboratory for genetic tests differed from the purported parents’ DNA.

Lo said that the government is highly concerned about the incident, which it said was not simply a case of medical malpractice.

He described the case as “unusual”, as the samples had been replaced instead of contaminated.

It is also “not ideal” that the centre did not report the case to the Department of Health within 24 hours after it occurred, as required under the Code of Practice for Day Procedure Centres under Cap 633 of the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance, he said.

Lo noted that the clinic only reported the incident to the Council on Human Reproductive Technology on June 17, after it found out that the samples did not match the purported parents on May 26.

“These day procedure centres have to report any serious untoward incidents within 24 hours. In this particular incident, the centre has definitely breached this...The Department of Health has already requested the centre provide a report within four weeks,” he said.

“Based on the report and further investigation findings, the Department of Health will consider any penalty for breaching Cap 633 [of the] ordinance."

The government will also look into whether the lab operated by the Chinese University had followed procedures when handling the samples, Lo said.

He added that authorities will review relevant procedures and existing legislations based on investigations carried out by police, Heal Fertility and the Council on Human Reproductive Technology.

Those who are receiving assisted reproductive services at Heal Fertility will be referred to other licensed centres to continue their treatment, Lo added.


Edited by Aaron Tam