Israeli Health Ministry Revokes IVF Licenses Over Embryo Mix-Up

Jerusalem, 16 October, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel’s Health Ministry revoked the licenses of two senior staff members at Assuta Medical Center in Rishon LeZion following a mistaken embryo transfer that rocked Israel.

The ministry said the sanctions followed serious management failures and procedural violations that led to the incident. Both employees have 30 days to appeal the ruling.

In 2022, clinic staffers implanted the wrong embryo in a woman undergoing in vitro fertilization. The mishap was discovered during the third trimester after doctors detected a heart defect in the fetus. Baby Sophie’s biological parents were eventually confirmed, sparking a custody battle. Israel’s Supreme Court ruled in May that the girl, now two years-old, will remain the birth mother while allowing the biological parents visitation rights.