Two Peas in a Pod? A Case of Questionable Twins

In fact, Darrell’s biological father is a Caribbean man (patient #2) from Aruba in the Dutch Antilles, who had been in the hospital with his wife on the same day as the Joneses for a similar IVF procedure.

But how could such a serious error take place? Hospital spokesperson Simone Labrae said, “We suspect that a technician broke the rules and reused a pipette to transfer the two different sperm.”

The doctors at the university hospital clinic are now calling the event a “deeply regrettable mistake.” Administrators admit the eggs were accidentally inseminated with the sperm from the Caribbean man along with the sperm of Nathan Jones.

Further Considerations

While the situation has long-term, far-reaching implications, the Joneses are most immediately concerned about Darrell’s biological father’s medical history. “I am sometimes concerned about Darrell’s health,” Hannah has said, adding, “I don’t know his medical history or that of his father’s family….”

While the couple had an agreement with the hospital not to go to the media with their story, they decided to talk about the hospital error that left them with sons from different racial backgrounds to point out the problem of racism.

Cases like this one may be more common than reports indicate (Weiss, 1997). However, increased paternity testing may also be playing a role in bringing more cases like this forward.

Assignment

1. Brainstorm as many issues as you can that are raised by this case.
2. Research and be prepared to report on other current fertility, or assisted reproductive technologies (ART), or paternity related cases.
3. Comment on the strengths and limitations of technology regarding reproduction and/or DNA as evidence.
4. Use a table to list the costs/risks that couples face choosing to utilize this and other types of reproductive technologies and contrast them to the risks faced when using “natural” methods of conception. You may want to begin by considering factors in categories related to the health of the mother and child, social reactions from others, and financial costs.
5. Generate a list of ethical rules and procedures for reproductive clinics and technicians. Compare your lists to any rules that exist for such professionals.

References

• Anonymous. 1995. “Black and white twins born after test tube mix-up.” Jet July 24, v88 n11 p34(4).
• Weiss, Rick. 1997. “Biology: A case of twins with different fathers.” Washington Post, Science Notebook, June 16, pA2.

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