A general hospital in western Japan attempted to fertilize ova from a woman who was to undergo cancer treatment with the sperm of her fiancee, it was learned Sunday.
Ethics guidelines set by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology ban in vitro fertilization unless it is conducted between a legally married couple. It is the time an attempt between an unmarried couple has come to light.
According to sources familiar with the case, the woman and her fiance hoped to freeze the fertilized ova so they could be used in the future to have a child.