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NHS Blunder Results In Mixed-Race Twins
IVF
couple had to adopt children they thought were theirs.
A white couple who had mixed-race twins because of a shocking
IVF blunder more than six years ago have spoken to newspapers about
the effect it has had on their lives.
Known as Mr and Mrs A, to protect their identity the couple decided
to have test-tube treatment after trying to conceive for six years.
A doctor treating them at a Leeds NHS Trust fertility clinic mistakenly
used an Asian man's sperm instead of Mr A's.
The end result was that Mrs A
gave birth to dark-skinned twins, who are now aged six.
The couple were forced to prove they were the biological parents, only
to have their hopes dashed when a court ruled Mr A could not legally
call himself the father.
They then had to formally adopt
the twins, a boy and a girl, which eventually cost them £80,000.
The biological father opposed the adoption and has applied to be legally
declared the father. A court ordered the couple to send him twice yearly
updates on them, including photos.
The couple are say they are saddened by the mistake, which almost
cost them their marriage but it has not affected their love for the twins.
Mr A said 'My wife was scared I'd reject
the twins and her. But it never entered my mind. They are my children,
I love them to death and they love me. They are the most lovely kids
ever. We adore them.'
The couple who originally had plans for a large family have decided not
to have any more children. Mr A said, 'I couldn't bear the thought that
they might feel we loved their sisters or brothers more because they
were 'ours' and white. Our twins are enough.'
The family often get questioned about the obvious difference in skin
colour between them and the children, and their response is to say the
twins are adopted.
But one of the harder trials they had to face was when the children asked
them why they were so dark. At first they told the children that they
had a dark-skinned grandmother, but they eventually decided to tell them
the truth.
They told them: 'You know you were IVF babies. Well, when the doctor
created you, he used a brown man's sperm instead of Daddy's. But we are
so glad he did because we have got you two and you are so special.'
Source:
