Prof. David Bider, a 73-year-old senior fertility specialist, is one of the two suspects in importing and implanting fertilized eggs infected with a serious disease in 7 women – this was allowed to be published today (Friday). The name of the other suspect in the act has not yet been released. Prof. Bieder was arrested at the airport last Monday.
The Ministry of Health’s investigation into the matter began about a year ago, when two months ago the materials were presented to the police who transferred the handling of the case to the fraud unit of the Tel Aviv district. During the discussion on the evaluation of the arrest of the suspects, it became clear that the clinic in Georgia from which the infected fertilized eggs were imported continues to operate as usual – even during the investigation of the case and the arrests.
Prof. Bider and the other suspect acted on the suspicion of importing eggs taken from women with hemophilia in Georgia – and performed in vitro fertilization on Israeli women, knowing that the eggs were indeed infected with the disease. The Ministry of Health ordered all the managers of the in vitro fertilization units in Israel to locate the women for whom eggs were imported that may be infected with the disease, in order to inform them of the risks and allow them to make an informed decision regarding the use of these eggs.
Advocate Shai Roda
Attorney Yaron Forer
Attorney Shai Roda and Attorney Yaron Forer, Prof. Bider’s defense attorneys, said: “Despite the court’s decision regarding the publication of the name of Professor Bider’s clients, he still stands firm in his version and claims that he did not know that the egg had genetic diseases. Moreover, the publication decision arises for the purpose of calming the public only.”
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