Today in Focus A rogue fertility clinic, stolen eggs, and an unlikely friendship
Jul 7, 2025
Jenny Kleeman, a Guardian journalist specializing in the fertility industry, uncovers a shocking IVF clinic scandal involving stolen eggs. Renee Ballou, one of the victims, shares her emotional journey and the unexpected friendship she formed with Carol Lieber Wilkins, the woman who received her eggs. Carol, who became a therapist for donor-conceived families, discusses the complexities of motherhood in this context. Together, they explore themes of betrayal, identity, and the healing power of connection amidst unconventional family dynamics.
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Renee's Fertility Journey
- Renee Ballou underwent fertility treatment at UCI Irvine but was not successfully pregnant after surgery.
- She was later told she was pregnant just after anesthesia but tests proved otherwise.
Egg Theft at Fertility Clinic
- Eggs were stolen from sedated women without consent and used to impregnate other patients.
- This was an outrageous breach of trust and a traumatic violation for donor women.
Legal and Ethical Gaps
- There were no laws in the 1980s banning use of sperm or eggs without consent in fertility treatments.
- Doctors assumed women just wanted a child by any means, ignoring consent and ethics.