HARTFORD, Conn. — Lawmakers on the Judiciary Committee heard emotional testimony from victims of so-called “fertility fraud” Monday, who say their fertility doctors used their own sperm to inseminate patients without consent.
“What this doctor did to us was completely incomprehensible and unethical,” said Connecticut resident and victim Allison Vece.
There is currently no law against fertility fraud in Connecticut, but advocates are pushing state legislators to pass a new bill to protect families.
RELATED: Woman sues Connecticut fertility doctor for using his own sperm during artificial insemination
Advocates said this measure is needed to seek legal repercussions and get the justice they believe they deserve.
“I'm in constant fear that anyone I know could be my half-sibling and it has forever changed how I feel about placing trusted medical providers,” Canton resident Janine Pierson said.
In 2022, Pierson found out through a DNA test her biological father is her mother’s fertility doctor.
“When I shared the truth with my mother, she was absolutely shocked and horrified,” Pierson explained. “She felt violated, deceived, humiliated and traumatized.”
In the past two years, Pierson said she has identified more than 20 half-siblings across the state.
“I'm currently nine months pregnant, and once my son is born, he will have 42 first cousins that we are currently aware of, many of whom live in close proximity to us,” Pierson continued. “The likelihood that he will date or mix with his cousins one day is terrifying.”
Pierson is not alone — other women claim themselves or their mothers are victims of fertility fraud, too.
“We trusted the doctor completely, never thought that he would betray the Hippocratic Oath to do no harm and betray his patients,” testified Maralee Hill.
RELATED: Connecticut lawmakers, advocates urge Congress to pass federal protections for infertility treatment
“My high school boyfriend is actually my half-brother,” said Maralee’s daughter, Victoria Hill.
These women are pushing for a new bill which would prohibit a physician from knowingly using their own sperm to inseminate a patient without the patient’s consent and would create a cause of action against a physician who engages in such conduct.
“It would be a crime, except that usually it is not discovered until after the statute of limitations has expired,” explained attorney Steve Errante with the CT Trial Lawyers Association. “In most of these cases, because 20 or 30 years is going to go by before it is found out what the doctor did, the criminal statute, the statute is gone.”
Some who spoke Monday, though, oppose the measure.
“Legislating today, sadly, will not address the harms of the past,” said Katherine Kraschel, assistant law professor at Northeastern University. “We should not target the whole field to address a few bad actors.”
Kraschel expressed concerns about restrictions in other states on reproductive rights and infertility treatments, especially for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I understand the desire to focus on Connecticut, but we can't pass laws in a vacuum and there is a broader national landscape that has that reproductive healthcare, including fertility care, is under attack,” she said.
Those in favor of the measure argue its narrow and specific language will not infringe on anyone’s right to access fertility treatments.
“Let's hold doctors like ours accountable for their unspeakable actions and crimes,” said Vece.
Advocates want the bill’s language amended slightly to replace “physician” with “any person,” as they say anyone working in a fertility clinic or with access could be guilty of using their own sperm, not just doctors.
They also want it specified the statute of limitations would not apply in these cases.
This bill appears to have broad support on both sides of the aisle.
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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