In a shocking turn of events, an Idaho woman, Sharon Hayes, has filed a lawsuit against her former fertility doctor, Dr. David R. Claypool, alleging that he secretly used his own sperm to inseminate her 34 years ago. This recent case adds to a growing number of similar incidents that have come to light as at-home DNA testing becomes more popular.

Hayes, now 67 years old and residing in Hauser, Idaho, sought fertility treatment from Dr. Claypool, an obstetrician and gynecologist based in Spokane, Washington, in 1989. She and her then-husband had been struggling to conceive and were hopeful that the doctor could assist them. According to the lawsuit filed in Spokane County Superior Court, Hayes requested an anonymous donor. In response, Claypool assured her that the donor would be chosen based on specific traits she desired, such as hair and eye color, and that the donor would undergo health and genetic screenings. The doctor charged her $100 in cash for each treatment, claiming that the money was intended for college or medical students who were providing the donated sperm.

The truth about Hayes' biological father was revealed to her last year when her 33-year-old daughter, Brianna Hayes, submitted her DNA to the popular genetic testing and ancestry website, 23andMe. Brianna, speaking to The Associated Press, expressed the emotional turmoil she experienced upon learning about her true heritage. She described the revelation as an "identity crisis" and expressed her distress on behalf of her mother, stating, "I felt traumatized for my mom, and the fact that I'm a product of his actions is off-putting." Additionally, Brianna discovered that she has at least 16 half-siblings in the area.

It remains uncertain if other women are pursuing legal action against Dr. Claypool, as the AP was unable to contact him through the provided phone numbers. His attorney, Drew Dalton, declined to comment but mentioned that the matter had entered mediation. However, The Seattle Times, the first outlet to report on the lawsuit, revealed that Claypool denied any knowledge of the allegations and claimed not to know Sharon Hayes. He also mentioned that he had ceased practicing in 2005 and expressed surprise at the accusations, stating, "I know people are very happy, but this is the first I've heard of anything in 40 years."

Unfortunately, cases of "fertility fraud" have become increasingly common with the advent of online DNA services. Last year, a New York Times article exposed over 50 fertility doctors in the United States who were accused of fraudulent practices related to donated sperm. Additionally, a Netflix documentary shed light on an Indiana fertility specialist who secretly fathered at least 94 children while providing insemination services. In a separate case, a Colorado jury awarded nearly $9 million to three families who accused a fertility doctor of using his own sperm instead of anonymous donors, as requested by the mothers.

The allegations made by Sharon Hayes in her lawsuit against Dr. Claypool include charges of fraud, failure to obtain consent, and violation of state consumer protection laws. RJ Ermola, an attorney representing Hayes, explained that the claims are based on Claypool's scheme to charge cash for his own sperm while misleading patients to believe it was from an anonymous donor.

Brianna Hayes, while navigating the complexities of her newfound family, has yet to meet Dr. Claypool. Initially, she sought genetic information to gain insight into her health issues, including a childhood battle with leukemia, which do not align with her mother's family medical history. She expressed sympathy for her mother, acknowledging her guilt and stating, "She feels immense guilt for putting me in this situation. I told her, 'This wasn't you at all - you went through all the appropriate channels to do what you needed to do. You were just being a mom, wanting to be a loving mother.'"

As this lawsuit unfolds, it brings attention to the ethical concerns surrounding fertility treatments and the need for stricter regulations to protect individuals seeking assisted reproductive services. The impact on families affected by "fertility fraud" is immeasurable, further emphasizing the urgency for justice and accountability in the medical profession.