Former Rijnstate doctor used own and IVF donor sperm without patient consent
A former gynecologist at Rijnstate Hospital used not only his own sperm but also IVF donor sperm without patient consent, Rijnstate executive Hans Schoo confirmed to Omroep Gelderland. The revelation involves cases dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.
The doctor, Alexander Schmoutziguer, fathered at least sixteen children with his own sperm in fertility treatments, according to an investigation commissioned by Rijnstate. The parents undergoing treatment were unaware of the substitution. At the time, the hospital operated under the name Elisabeth Gasthuis.
Schoo confirmed that in at least one case in the late 1980s, Schmoutziguer used IVF donor sperm from another man without permission. "We discussed this with all the gynecologists, as far as they are still alive from that time," Schoo said, adding that there are no indications that other gynecologists used their own sperm.
The man whose IVF sperm was misused, along with his wife, discovered in 2021 through a DNA researcher that Schmoutziguer had used his sperm to conceive a donor child. The couple, the mother, and the child later pursued a liability claim against Rijnstate. A settlement was reached in November 2025. Schoo said, "Agreements have been made about that. I cannot provide any information about the nature of those agreements."
Rijnstate continues to offer support to individuals who suspect they are children of Schmoutziguer or who were involved as intended parents in treatments he conducted.
