FDA Issues Warning to California Fertility Clinic

Clinic Not Screening for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The FDA issued a warning letter to the Center for Fertility and Gynecology in Tarzana, CA, Tuesday, concerning allegations that the clinic is not testing semen donors using FDA standards for screening of sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Worse, in some cases they may not be screening donors at all.

According to media reports, the fertility center didn't test some donors for chlamydia, a disease that can cause infertility, and gonorrhea, and, if it spreads to the blood or joints, can be life threatening.

In the letter, the FDA stated that as recently as February, 2008 the clinic used unscreened semen to fertilize eggs in women. This followed on from 2 earlier instances, one in 2005 and another in 2007.

The FDA has given the clinic 15 business days to respond and explain what initiatives it plans to implement to prevent further violations and correct the existing ones.

The clinic claims to be the largest fertility center in the San Fernando Valley.

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Published on Nov-5-08