Wrong fertilized egg believed to have been implanted in woman+

OSAKA, Feb. 19 Kyodo -
A prefecture-run hospital in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, implanted a
fertilized egg believed to be from another patient in a woman last September
but the pregnancy was terminated nine weeks later at the hospital after it told
the woman about the mistake, the local government said Thursday.
It is believed that an obstetrician, 61, at the Kagawa Prefectural Central
Hospital mixed up containers of fertilized eggs, according to the prefectural
government.
The woman in her 20s was found to be pregnant in October by ultrasonic
examination, but the development of the fertilized egg indicated it was highly
likely from another patient, according to the local authority.
The hospital apologized to the woman and her husband over the situation and
said it has taken steps to make sure such a mix-up does not happen again.
The hospital said the woman has not suffered any health problems and could
become pregnant again, but she filed a damages suit with the Takamatsu District
Court earlier this month seeking 20 million yen in compensation from the
prefectural government.
A lawyer representing her said, ''She is not satisfied with the explanations of
the hospital.''
Yuzo Matsumoto, head of the hospital, told a press conference, ''It is
unimaginable how she suffered when she faced the abortion when she experienced
peak of joy over pregnancy. We feel very sorry for her.''
There was a mix-up involving fertilized eggs at a hospital in Ishikawa
Prefecture in 2000, but the latest case is the first time a patient has become
pregnant through such malpractice.
==Kyodo
2009-02-19 22:20:33