Single woman to sue US fertility clinic
A woman seeking to become pregnant can sue a fertility clinic in Michigan, US, that turned her down because she's single, the Michagen state appeals court said Friday as it reinstated a discrimination case.Dubious defence
Dr. Douglas Daly had rejected Alison Moon, claiming he feared being sued for child support and citing what he considered inadequate protection under Michigan law. "Until I feel there is adequate law, I will not be providing insemination services to single individuals. ... I am not willing to gamble my financial future on this issue," Daly said in an email that was part of the court record.
Defence upheld
A judge said doctors have the right to choose patients and dismissed the case.
Appeal hearing
But a three-judge panel at the appeals court said discrimination based on marital status is illegal in Michigan. "A doctor may only deny his or her consent to enter into a doctor-patient relationship ... based on legally permissible, non-discriminatory reasons," judges Elizabeth Gleicher, Joel Hoekstra and Cynthia Diane Stephens said.
A doctor, they said, can't be allowed to follow "personal prejudices or biases."
Ms Moon, 42, had been traveling to Ann Arbor but wanted a clinic closer to her home. She asked about becoming pregnant through in vitro fertilization with donated sperm, but Daly turned her down, fearing he could somehow be pursued for child support for helping a single woman become pregnant.
Doctors not liable for child support
Moon's attorney, Ken Rathert, said the doctor had nothing to fear. "Parents are liable for support, not third parties," Rathert said. "He was blowing that out of proportion. ... I'm very pleased with the decision."
Second ivf case
Ms Moon also sued another clinic that turned her down, but settled the case out of court.
Read more at: chicagotribune.com