Another Dutch gynecologist caught using own sperm in IVF treatments
Another Dutch gynecologist used his own sperm to impregnate women. Dr. Ed Goormans at the former Leyenburg Hospital in The Hague conceived at least two children with his own sperm, the Haga Hospital, the successor to Leyenburg, announced.
Goormans ran a fertility clinic in the former Lyenburg Hospital from the early 1970s until 1986, when he was fired on suspicion of insemination fraud, Omroep West reported. There was an investigation, but it found no evidence that Goormans used his own sperm to impregnate women in his care.
After headlines about other Dutch fertility doctors like Jan Karbaat, Jan Wildschut, and Jos Beek using their own sperm in fertility treatments, the Haga Hospital reported the rumors about Goormans once again. Nine years ago, Goormans permitted his DNA to be recorded under a pseudonym at Fiom, the center that manages the database for donor-conceived children and donors.
“At the time, that was the only way for us to secure his DNA. DNA must be provided voluntarily; we cannot force anyone,” Fiom director Ellen Giepmans told Omroep West. Fiom agreed with Goormans that his identity would remain hidden in the event of a match. In 2022, two matches were found. The children involved were not informed, due to the agreement with Goormans.
A year later, Peter van der Meek took over as chairman of the board at the Haga Hospital. A year later, he got around to the donor-conceived children’s file. Goormans has since died, so the hospital entered into discussions with his surviving relatives. According to the hospital, they agreed that the donor-conceived children have a right to know their ancestry. The hospital informed the two confirmed children a few weeks ago.
“As far as I am concerned, that really took too long, and I find that very regrettable,” Van der Meek said. “But we are now taking responsibility.” He also apologized for Goormans’ actions.
The Haga Hospital has commissioned a full investigation into Goormans’ actions and urged anyone who was treated by him or who thinks he may have sired them to come forward. The hospital has a telephone team standing by for potentially involved parties. “We do not know what to expect, but we want the phone to always be answered when people call,” Van der Meek said.
The investigation will be led by emeritus professor Didi Braat, who previously conducted similar studies into other gynecologists who used their own sperm in fertility treatments.
