Ricardo Asch

Ricardo Hector Asch (born 26 October 1947 in Buenos Aires, Argentina) [1] is an obstetrician, gynecologist, and endocrinologist who was worked with reproductive technology, in particular gamete intrafallopian transfer.[2] He is also known for his unethical practices at the University of California, Irvine's fertility clinic: the Orange County Register's investigations into these practices led to that paper's receiving the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting.

In 1995, the Orange County Register broke the story that Asch — then Chief of the University of California, Irvine's Center for Reproductive Health — and his two partners were misusing human embryos, and harvesting and transplanting human eggs without patient consent. Also facing charges of tax fraud stemming from the case,[3] Asch resigned,[4] suspended his practice, sold his home,[5] and went to Mexico. Despite assurances by his attorney that he would return to the United States to face prosecution, Asch has remained in Mexico. He attained dual Mexican/Argentine citizenship in 2001.

Asch, who owned an entertainment company at the time of the scandal, was one of the producers of the Andre Agassi and Nick Bollettieri intrstuctional tennis video Attack.[6] On December 30, 2010, the Mexican Attorney's General Office (PGR) announced on its website that it had initiated proceedings to have Asch extradited to the United States.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Dodge, Mary; Geis, Gilbert (2003). Stealing Dreams: A Fertility Clinic Scandal. Lebanon, New Hampshire: Northeastern University Press. p. 113. ISBN 1-55553-585-2.
  2. ↑ Asch RH, Ellsworth LR, Balmaceda JP, Wong PC. (1984). "Pregnancy after translaparoscopic gamete intrafallopian transfer". Lancet. 2 (8410): 1034–5. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(84)91127-9. PMID 6149412.
  3. ↑ Anderson, Nick; Schrader, Esther (July 19, 1997). "50 Couples to Get $10 million to end UCI Fertility Clinic Suits". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Statement: UCI resignation negotiations with CRH physicians" (Press release). University of California, Irvine. August 11, 1995. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  5. ↑ "UC Fertility Case Doctor Sells Home" Los Angeles Times 24 October 1995. Accessed 23 October 2009
  6. ↑ Answers.com review of Attack Accessed 23 October 2009
  7. ↑ - in Spanish - Accessed 30 December 2010

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