Across the United States, a growing number of reports have surfaced recently where fertility specialists have allegedly used their own genetic material to impregnate unsuspecting women in a stunning betrayal of professional ethics and patient autonomy. One such claim involving a fertility doctor and former professor at Harvard Medical School has now reached a settlement. In the claim, Dr. Merle Berger is accused of secretly using his own sperm to impregnate a patient in 1980. 

The Shocking Allegations Against Dr. Berger

According to a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Sarah Depoian and her husband sought fertility treatment from Dr. Berger in 1979. The couple was told that the sperm used for the artificial insemination procedure would come from an anonymous donor who resembled Depoian’s husband, and whom they would never know.

However, the lawsuit alleges that Dr. Berger betrayed this trust and instead used his own sperm to impregnate Depoian. The procedure was successful, and Depoian’s daughter, Carolyn Bester, was born in January 1981. It wasn’t until decades later, when Bester conducted a home DNA test, that she learned that her biological father was Dr. Berger.

Fertility Doctor’s Actions an “Extreme Violation”

The revelation that a trusted medical professional had secretly used his own sperm to impregnate a patient has had a devastating impact on the Depoian family. Sarah Depoian described the experience as an “extreme violation” and a “horrific act” that has left her struggling to process the betrayal. “We fully trusted Dr. Berger. He was a medical professional. It’s hard to imagine not trusting your own doctor,” Depoian stated. “We never dreamt he would abuse his position of trust and perpetrate this extreme violation.”

In the wake of the allegations against Dr. Berger, the Depoian family took legal action, filing a lawsuit against the former Harvard professor and seeking “damages in an amount sufficient to compensate [Depoian] for her injuries.” The lawsuit was settled by the fertility doctor following a mediation session on June 13, 2024.

A Troubling Pattern of Fertility Malpractice

Unfortunately, the doctor sperm donor lawsuit against Dr. Berger is not an isolated incident. Over the past several years, a growing number of similar claims have come to light, exposing a troubling pattern of fertility malpractice and sexual misconduct within the medical community.

These claims highlight the urgent need for stronger regulations, oversight, and transparency within the fertility industry. Patients seeking these sensitive and emotionally charged services must be able to trust that their rights will be respected, and that the medical professionals entrusted with their care will uphold the highest ethical standards.

Looking Toward a Future With Ethical Fertility Care

The settlement in the lawsuit against Dr. Berger is a significant development, but it is only the beginning of a long and arduous journey toward ensuring that the fertility industry operates with the utmost transparency, accountability, and respect for patient autonomy. As more reports of fertility malpractice come to light, it is clear that the medical community must confront this issue head-on and implement comprehensive solutions to protect vulnerable patients.