Compensation for couples whose embryos, eggs were stolen

A US University settled dozens of civil lawsuits over eggs or embryos stolen by two doctors more than a decade ago, in an effort to end the scandal over its fertility centre.

The University of California, Irvine system paid more than 24 million US dollars for 137 separate incidents in which eggs or embryos disappeared or were given to other women without consent in the late 80s, the Los Angeles Times reported on its website.

Two doctors at the school's Centre for Reproductive Health, Ricardo Asch and Jose Balmaceda, were indicted by a federal grand jury on mail fraud and tax evasion charges, but fled the country to avoid prosecution.

UC Irvine said it is "honouring its commitment to treat each claim fairly and on its merits." Officials declined to comment further until the three remaining claims are resolved.

Shirel and Steve Crawford got a 675,000 US dollar settlement but still wonder about the two embryos who were given to another patient known only as Mrs S in documents.

"Our children are still out there somewhere. Maybe someday they will find us," Shirel Crawford said. She never had a baby because she ran out of embryos and money to pay for more fertility treatments.

The Orange County Register first reported on the scandal in 1995, which led to investigations and state hearings. Whistle-blowers said the university had ignored early warnings and tried to cover-up problems.

Attorney Dan Hodes, who represented the couples, said many felt the medical misconduct went unpunished.

"The individual doctors who the evidence suggested were most at fault got off without any recrimination at all," he said.