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Leading IVF doctor investigated Police visit two top IVF clinics
(about 3 hours later)
Britain's most successful test-tube baby clinic has been secretly filmed offering unproven treatment to women, potentially risking their health. Police officers have made unannounced visits to two clinics run by Britain's most successful test-tube baby doctor.
The BBC filmed at London's Assisted Reproductive and Gynaecology Centre, run by Mohamed Taranissi. He has produced 2,300 babies in seven years. The inspections were carried out by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) with a court warrant.
But he also ran an unlicensed clinic and is being investigated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. The HFEA says this is part of regulatory action against the clinics and that it has also been contacted by a whistleblower.
One of the clinics was secretly filmed by Panorama offering unproven treatment to women, potentially risking health.
IVF Undercover which is broadcast tonight at 2030 on BBC One has undercover footage from the Assisted Reproductive and Gynaecology Centre, run by Mohamed Taranissi who has produced 2,300 babies in seven years.
But he also ran an unlicensed clinic from December 2005 for almost a year.
The chief executive of the HFEA Angela McNab told a news conference: "For some time the HFEA has been taking regulatory action against the clinics run by Mr Taranissi. Whilst we have tried to work with his clinics to get the information we require to do our job we have been challenged by his clinic and his lawyers at almost every step of the way.
"Information has continued to come to light during this process and this morning I was able to go to court to secure a warrant. This will allow us to gain unimpeded access to the clinics run by Mr Taranissi.
"As we speak two inspection teams from the HFEA have gone simultaneously into these two clinics with police officers in attendance to carry out an unannounced inspection of the two buildings and to secure the information that we need and are entitled to under the law.
"We've received information from whistle blowers who appear to have been working in the centre.
"And we're also aware of the separate allegations made in the BBC Panorama programme which will need investigation."
Mr Taranissi rejected the criticisms levelled at him in BBC One's Panorama.Mr Taranissi rejected the criticisms levelled at him in BBC One's Panorama.
Fertility experts viewed Panorama's footage from the Assisted Reproductive and Gynaecology Centre (ARGC).Fertility experts viewed Panorama's footage from the Assisted Reproductive and Gynaecology Centre (ARGC).
Get expert help Send us your viewsGet expert help Send us your views
Watching some of the footage, Lord Robert Winston said: "It makes you weep for the medical profession. It's a failure of regulation."Watching some of the footage, Lord Robert Winston said: "It makes you weep for the medical profession. It's a failure of regulation."
But Mr Taranissi, whose wealth is calculated to be £38m, told Panorama after the undercover filming: "There's a lot of regulations that seem to apply to us more than other people.But Mr Taranissi, whose wealth is calculated to be £38m, told Panorama after the undercover filming: "There's a lot of regulations that seem to apply to us more than other people.
"We're not against regulation, we just hope that we can finish with this and move forwards for everybody because it takes a lot of time from my time which I need to devote to patients because that's what I am good at and that's what I want to continue to do - provide results for people.""We're not against regulation, we just hope that we can finish with this and move forwards for everybody because it takes a lot of time from my time which I need to devote to patients because that's what I am good at and that's what I want to continue to do - provide results for people."
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) chief executive Angela Mcnabb said: "The HFEA is currently taking regulatory action against the clinics run by Mr Taranissi which it is treating very seriously.Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) chief executive Angela Mcnabb said: "The HFEA is currently taking regulatory action against the clinics run by Mr Taranissi which it is treating very seriously.
"This regulatory action has been entirely separate to any media investigation of these clinics, has been based on HFEA investigation and analysis and has to follow due process set out by law.""This regulatory action has been entirely separate to any media investigation of these clinics, has been based on HFEA investigation and analysis and has to follow due process set out by law."
The experts watched Panorama's secret filming and said they were disturbed when they saw:The experts watched Panorama's secret filming and said they were disturbed when they saw:
  • A 26-year-old undercover reporter offered IVF treatment at the ARGC, which could cost her up to £10,000 in some circumstances, even though neither she nor her partner had any history of fertility problems. A second undercover patient with a similar medical status is correctly told that at her age she does not require treatment
  • A 26-year-old undercover reporter offered IVF treatment at the ARGC, which could cost her up to £10,000 in some circumstances, even though neither she nor her partner had any history of fertility problems. A second undercover patient with a similar medical status is correctly told that at her age she does not require treatment
  • The 26-year-old was then offered a treatment involving a blood transfusion of a concentrated mix of human antibodies. One expert said it was impossible to know what the antibodies could do to a baby
  • The 26-year-old was then offered a treatment involving a blood transfusion of a concentrated mix of human antibodies. One expert said it was impossible to know what the antibodies could do to a baby
  • Blood tests costing £780 involving 18 phials of blood from the arm of the 26-year-old which the experts describe as incapable of revealing fertility problems
  • Blood tests costing £780 involving 18 phials of blood from the arm of the 26-year-old which the experts describe as incapable of revealing fertility problems
  • A senior clinician telling the reporter her blood test revealed levels which indicated treatment but one expert analysed the results as "all completely normal"
  • A senior clinician telling the reporter her blood test revealed levels which indicated treatment but one expert analysed the results as "all completely normal"
    • Panorama also found out that Mr Taranissi was risking a jail term by continuing to carry out IVF treatments at a second clinic called the Reproductive Genetics Institute (RGI) which no longer has a licence.Panorama also found out that Mr Taranissi was risking a jail term by continuing to carry out IVF treatments at a second clinic called the Reproductive Genetics Institute (RGI) which no longer has a licence.
    It was not renewed at the end of 2005 due to a lack of required data. It is a criminal offence to operate in an unlicensed clinic.It was not renewed at the end of 2005 due to a lack of required data. It is a criminal offence to operate in an unlicensed clinic.
    Using the Freedom of Information Act, Panorama obtained figures showing how Mr Taranissi treats some older women at the RGI.Using the Freedom of Information Act, Panorama obtained figures showing how Mr Taranissi treats some older women at the RGI.
    The birth rates there are consistently much lower than the ARGC. Mr Taranissi says this is because they require specific treatments and not because this helps boost his success rate at his main clinic.The birth rates there are consistently much lower than the ARGC. Mr Taranissi says this is because they require specific treatments and not because this helps boost his success rate at his main clinic.
    Mr Taranissi said: "The Panorama programme is wrong on many key facts.Mr Taranissi said: "The Panorama programme is wrong on many key facts.
    "The programme makers question the efficacy of immune testing in IVF, yet I am open about the fact that it is indeed one reason for my success rates."The programme makers question the efficacy of immune testing in IVF, yet I am open about the fact that it is indeed one reason for my success rates.
    "Panorama says that my second clinic, RGI, operated for a while without a licence. As explained to them, this is a matter of legal dispute."Panorama says that my second clinic, RGI, operated for a while without a licence. As explained to them, this is a matter of legal dispute.
    "The clinic in question was offered a three-year licence. On the form accepting this, I said I wish to make representations."The clinic in question was offered a three-year licence. On the form accepting this, I said I wish to make representations.
    "The HFEA regulator seemed to interpret this two months later as me declining the licence, and the matter has been with the lawyers ever since.""The HFEA regulator seemed to interpret this two months later as me declining the licence, and the matter has been with the lawyers ever since."
    The chair of the British Fertility Society, Mark Hamilton, said: "We can't comment on any individual case but any exploitation of distressed and vulnerable patients is absolutely unacceptable.The chair of the British Fertility Society, Mark Hamilton, said: "We can't comment on any individual case but any exploitation of distressed and vulnerable patients is absolutely unacceptable.
    "The fertility sector is probably the most regulated sector in UK medicine and the HFEA has said today that the vast majority of clinics in the UK comply well with these standards."The fertility sector is probably the most regulated sector in UK medicine and the HFEA has said today that the vast majority of clinics in the UK comply well with these standards.
    "As a society we expect our members to uphold high standards. We support innovation where treatment is in the framework of a properly conducted, ethically approved clinical trial.""As a society we expect our members to uphold high standards. We support innovation where treatment is in the framework of a properly conducted, ethically approved clinical trial."
  • IVF Undercover will be broadcast on Monday 15 January at 2030 GMT on the Panorama website and BBC One.
  • IVF Undercover will be broadcast on Monday 15 January at 2030 GMT on the Panorama website and BBC One.
  • If you are affected by any of the issues in the programme and would like to talk to someone in confidence for further information and support, please call the BBC Action Line on 0800 077 077. Lines will open at 2100 GMT on Monday 15 January for a week and may be busy but the Action Line will be open from 0730 GMT until 0000 GMT. All calls are free and confidential.
  • If you are affected by any of the issues in the programme and would like to talk to someone in confidence for further information and support, please call the BBC Action Line on 0800 077 077. Lines will open at 2100 GMT on Monday 15 January for a week and may be busy but the Action Line will be open from 0730 GMT until 0000 GMT. All calls are free and confidential.
  • The HFEA has also set up a helpline on 0207 291 8222. Or you can email helpline@hfea.gov.uk for advice.
  • The HFEA has also set up a helpline on 0207 291 8222. Or you can email helpline@hfea.gov.uk for advice.
  • Infertility Network UK will also open a helpline tonight on 08701 188 088.
  • Infertility Network UK will also open a helpline tonight on 08701 188 088.