{"id":2336279,"date":"2026-03-19T05:11:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T05:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2336279"},"modified":"2026-03-19T05:11:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T05:11:15","slug":"family-who-conceived-through-ivf-at-royal-north-shore-hospital-seeks-dna-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/family-who-conceived-through-ivf-at-royal-north-shore-hospital-seeks-dna-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"Family who conceived through IVF at Royal North Shore Hospital seeks DNA testing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">A parent who conceived a child through Royal North Shore Hospital&#8217;s fertility clinic in the 1990s, just months before an embryo mix-up at the same clinic, says their family is now planning to undertake DNA tests.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">This week <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"Link_link__kR0xA Link_link__5eL5m ScreenReaderOnly_srLinkHint__OysWz Link_showVisited__C1Fea Link_showFocus__ALyv2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2026-03-17\/ivf-mix-up-discovered-decades-later-australia\/106362864\" data-component=\"Link\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/article\/106362864\">the ABC revealed a historic IVF error occurred at the Sydney clinic in April 1995<\/a> resulting in twin girls being born to a mother they are not related to.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ContentAlignment_marginBottom__4H_6E ContentAlignment_overflowAuto__c1_IL ContentAlignment_floatRight__nfR_t RelatedCard_relatedCard__4Im5s interactive_focusContext__yRhc_ interactive_defaults__AKxUU interactive_hoverContext__LDUDX interactive_defaults__AKxUU\" data-component=\"RelatedCard\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/article\/106473614\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2026-03-17\/ivf-mix-up-discovered-decades-later-australia\/106362864\" data-component=\"FullBleedLink\" class=\"RelatedCard_link__rsgR9 FullBleedLink_root__lTw_U interactive_focusContext__yRhc_ interactive_defaults__AKxUU FullBleedLink_showVisited__g3Xvz\"><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP RelatedCard_heading__S_nm2 Typography_sizeMobile18__eJCIB Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_serif__qU2V5 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">The mix-up<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP RelatedCard_synopsis__cFwMW Typography_sizeMobile14__u7TGe Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">When Sasha Szafranski matched with a stranger on a genealogy website, she uncovered an IVF mix-up that had been hidden for 30 years.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">The mistake was only discovered last year, when one of the twins, Sasha Szafranski, used a genealogy tracing website.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Now another parent who conceived not long before that error, has told the ABC that news of that serious mistake has been &#8220;unnerving&#8221; for them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;We are all going to get a DNA test to make sure it was all good,&#8221; they said of their family.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;We might go on ancestry.com and see what happens.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">The former patient said they expected other families who conceived at the clinic during a similar time period to the embryo mix-up would likely do the same &#8220;just to be reassured&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">While the parent is confident their child is biologically their own, they said news of the serious mistake had &#8220;rocked&#8221; them.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;It really is an inexcusable mistake,&#8221; the parent said of the embryo mix-up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">The parent said they felt for Sasha Szafranski&#8217;s mother Penny Szafranski, who learnt last year that her twin daughters were not her biological children.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;It is appalling, it is just not fair for her,&#8221; they said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B heading_heading__kjfxC Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s\" data-component=\"Heading\">Scientist urges families to carefully consider DNA testing<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Embryologist and fertility adviser Lucy Lines yesterday told the ABC she expected the rising popularity of genealogy websites like ancestry.com and the accessibility of DNA tests to lead to more discoveries of serious IVF mistakes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;I think these things are going to come to light more and more unfortunately,&#8221; Ms Lines said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">She said it was important to remember serious errors were rare and safety standards and regulatory oversight had considerably improved since the 1990s in the IVF sector.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">But for families who went through IVF in the industry&#8217;s earlier years, Ms Lines said news of the mistake would be stressful.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"ContentAlignment_marginBottom__4H_6E ContentAlignment_overflowAuto__c1_IL ContentAlignment_outdentDesktop__ijbiK Figure_figure__xLyBy Figure_docImage__DSvk4\" data-print=\"inline-media\" data-component=\"Figure\" id=\"106473646\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/imageproxy\/106473646\">\n<div class=\"Figure_content__8xRH4\">\n<div class=\"FigureContent_content__GnImC\">\n<div class=\"ContentImage_ratio__0yYeG\">\n<div class=\"AspectRatio_container__FC_XH\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:1.5\" data-component=\"AspectRatioContainer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"Figure_caption__fS2lN\" data-component=\"Figure__figcaption\">\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP FigureCaption_text__zDxQ5 Typography_sizeMobile12__w_FPC Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">Lucy Lines says serious IVF mistakes are rare but more of those that have happened will likely come to light.<!-- --> <cite>(<span>ABC News: Stephen Opie<\/span>)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">She cautioned families not to rush into DNA testing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;The first thing I think it means is you need to really, really deeply consider what information you might want and what the impact of having that information might be on your current life.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">The scientist said she expected parents who used IVF in the 1990s and children conceived in that period were likely feeling &#8220;anxious and worried&#8221; after reading news of the IVF mix-up.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;I encourage people to reach out to their support networks, reach out to counselling, reach out to Lifeline if you need to, all of their services are there to support you,&#8221; Ms Lines said.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ContentAlignment_marginBottom__4H_6E ContentAlignment_overflowAuto__c1_IL ContentAlignment_outdentDesktop__ijbiK LegacyWysiwyg_wysiwyg___2JFa\" data-component=\"LegacyWysiwyg\" title=\"Teaser: Contact Elise\" data-print=\"inline-media\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/teaser\/106380094\">\n<h3 class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B heading_heading__kjfxC Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile18__eJCIB Typography_sizeDesktop20___6qCS Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop24__Fh_y5 Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s\" data-component=\"Heading\">Do you know more about this story?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Contact Elise Kinsella at <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"Link_link__5eL5m ScreenReaderOnly_srLinkHint__OysWz Link_showVisited__C1Fea Link_showFocus__ALyv2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2026-03-19\/ivf-embryo-mix-up-royal-north-shore-family-dna-test\/mailto:elisekinsella@proton.me\" data-component=\"Link\">elisekinsella@proton.me<\/a>. If you&#8217;re sharing sensitive information,\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" class=\"Link_link__5eL5m ScreenReaderOnly_srLinkHint__OysWz Link_showVisited__C1Fea Link_showFocus__ALyv2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/confidential-tips\/\" data-component=\"Link\">read our tips on how to contact us confidentially<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B heading_heading__kjfxC Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile20__NUDn4 Typography_sizeDesktop32__LR_G6 Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop40__BuoRf Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s\" data-component=\"Heading\">Minister offers affected families help<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">In the past year, since the 1995 embryo mix-up was discovered, Sasha Szafranski and her twin sister and mother, as well as the biological family the twins are related to, have had no apologies or offers of support because of a dispute between NSW Health and a private company over who was responsible for the clinic at the time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">The hospital said its fertility clinic was taken over by a private company in 1994, before the mix-up occurred. That company North Shore A.R.T was later taken over by another company, which was acquired by IVF giant Virtus Health.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">It also denies responsibility.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Today NSW Health Minister Ryan Park offered support to the families for the first time.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"ContentAlignment_marginBottom__4H_6E ContentAlignment_overflowAuto__c1_IL ContentAlignment_outdentDesktop__ijbiK Figure_figure__xLyBy Figure_docImage__DSvk4\" data-print=\"inline-media\" data-component=\"Figure\" id=\"106473724\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/imageproxy\/106473724\">\n<div class=\"Figure_content__8xRH4\">\n<div class=\"FigureContent_content__GnImC\">\n<div class=\"ContentImage_ratio__0yYeG\">\n<div class=\"AspectRatio_container__FC_XH\" style=\"--aspect-ratio:1.5\" data-component=\"AspectRatioContainer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A man with grey hair in a blue jacket, white collared shirt and teal tie with white stripes stands in front of trees.\" class=\"Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq\" sizes=\"100vw\" src=\"https:\/\/live-production.wcms.abc-cdn.net.au\/b22d6256bee5279f34ceddd045e0537a?impolicy=wcms_crop_resize&amp;cropH=1080&amp;cropW=1620&amp;xPos=300&amp;yPos=0&amp;width=862&amp;height=575\" loading=\"lazy\" data-component=\"Image\" data-lazy=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"Figure_caption__fS2lN\" data-component=\"Figure__figcaption\">\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP FigureCaption_text__zDxQ5 Typography_sizeMobile12__w_FPC Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">Ryan Park urged families to accept the support being offered by the health department.<!-- --> <cite>(<span>ABC News<\/span>)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">He said NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce had been in contact with the family&#8217;s local health district to make it clear that the health department was happy to offer support.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"ContentAlignment_marginBottom__4H_6E ContentAlignment_overflowAuto__c1_IL ContentAlignment_floatRight__nfR_t LegacyWysiwyg_wysiwyg___2JFa\" data-component=\"LegacyWysiwyg\" title=\"Helplines IVF\" data-print=\"inline-media\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/teaser\/106474034\">\n<h3 class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP Heading_heading__VGa5B heading_heading__kjfxC Heading_default__Z3p_p Typography_sizeMobile18__eJCIB Typography_sizeDesktop20___6qCS Typography_lineHeightMobile24__crkfh Typography_lineHeightDesktop24__Fh_y5 Typography_marginBottomMobileSmall__6wx7m Typography_marginBottomDesktopSmall__CboX4 Typography_bold__FqafP Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx Typography_normalise__u5o1s\" data-component=\"Heading\">If you need help:<\/h3>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t matter to Susan and I that it wasn&#8217;t our clinic to be perfectly frank; it means someone has been through a really difficult time and this is very traumatic,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">Referring to Sasha Szafranski, he said: &#8220;For this woman, this is a really, really challenging period and for that I want them to know and their families to know we are thinking of them but more importantly we are happy to provide services and support for them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">He encouraged the families to take up the offer, if they needed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;Should this person and their family want to take that offer up, I can assure you they will be met with open arms,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">The minister was also asked how confident he was that this embryo mix-up was an isolated mistake, given it was discovered accidentally.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph___QITb\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t think it was prevalent but I am never in the game of making predictions about things I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.abc.net.au \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A parent who conceived a child through Royal North Shore Hospital&#8217;s fertility clinic in the 1990s, just months before an embryo mix-up at the same clinic, says their family is now planning to undertake DNA tests. This week the ABC revealed a historic IVF error occurred at the Sydney clinic in April 1995 resulting in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2336280,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[452539,398967,369214,452536,452534,452537,391306,452535,329682,452538],"class_list":["post-2336279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty","tag-ancestory-com","tag-birth","tag-dna","tag-embryo","tag-fertility","tag-in-vitro","tag-ivf","tag-mix-up","tag-regulations","tag-royal-north-shore"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Family-who-conceived-through-IVF-at-Royal-North-Shore-Hospital.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2336279","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2336279"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2336279\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2336281,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2336279\/revisions\/2336281"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2336280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2336279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2336279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2336279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}