UC San Diego Fertility Probe Ongoing

* I would like to correct any misunderstanding generated by a recent story headlined “UC San Diego Has Ended Its Fertility Probe” (Oct. 31). In fact, the story was based on only one aspect of our ongoing, full-scope review of UC San Diego’s assisted reproductive technologies (ART) program, where over a two-year period Dr. Ricardo H. Asch treated a number of patients for infertility.

Several months ago, after learning of the many problems surrounding Dr. Asch’s practices in Orange County, we retained the firm of KPMG Peat Marwick to conduct an aggressive and thorough review of the ART program and, upon completion, to provide us with a full report, including factual determinations and recommendations.

My comments to the reporter pertained specifically to our efforts to interact with five of Dr. Asch’s patients identified through the first phase of this review (completed and released in July) as having been involved in egg or embryo transfer through the ART program without any apparent written consent.

During that initial phase, we reviewed all records readily available to us.

We are continuing our efforts to obtain all relevant documents that may not be in our possession, and I do not anticipate that these efforts will be exhausted in the foreseeable future.

In short, our comprehensive review of the ART program is very active.

DR. THOMAS MOORE

Acting chair, reproductive medicine

UC San Diego