Genetics & IVF Institute

The Genetics & IVF Institute in Fairfax, Virginia, experienced a data breach that was reported on April 11, 2022, and affected a total of 1,447 individuals, including 2 Maine residents. The breach involved an external system hack that compromised sensitive information, specifically financial account numbers or credit/debit card numbers in combination with security codes, access codes, passwords, or PINs for the accounts. In response to the breach, the Genetics & IVF Institute provided affected individuals with 12 months of credit monitoring services, among other protection services, and notified consumers of the breach on May 10, 2022[5].

The Genetics & IVF Institute, founded in 1984, is known for being the first outpatient IVF center in the United States. It has since expanded into an international family of companies offering a wide range of reproductive technology services. These services include sperm and egg donation, fertility preservation, LGBTQ+ family building, and genetic counseling and testing. The institute operates Fairfax Cryobank, one of the world’s largest sperm banks, and has a significant focus on genetic and infectious disease testing to ensure the health and safety of reproductive materials[7].

This breach underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures, especially for healthcare and reproductive services providers handling sensitive personal and financial information. The provision of credit monitoring and other protection services is a standard response to help mitigate the potential impact on affected individuals.

Citations:

1. https://casetext.com/case/baylson-v-genetics-ivf-inst
2. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/05/startup-orchid-launches-test-to-identify-genetic-defects-in-ivf-embryos.html
3. https://www.genomeweb.com/clinical-genomics/genetic-technologies-settles-patent-infringement-lawsuit-genetics-ivf-institute
4. https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/02/us/california-embryo-cancer-gene-lawsuit/index.html
5. https://apps.web.maine.gov/online/aeviewer/ME/40/e57d999b-97fc-485d-ae95-ed203debf257.shtml
6. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ccrm-fertility-acquires-the-new-hope-center-for-reproductive-medicine-301799951.html
7. https://www.givf.com
8. https://ktla.com/news/local-news/pasadena-fertility-clinic-sued-over-embryo-mix-up-in-which-child-born-with-deadly-cancer-gene/
9. https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(22)02130-6/abstract
10. https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/parents-file-lawsuit-alleging-fertility-clinic-used-wrong-embryo-164598853867
11. http://www.circare.org/fdawls/geneticsandivfinstituteirb_fdawl_20091223.pdf
12. https://nypost.com/2023/03/02/couple-sues-hrc-fertility-after-son-is-born-with-cancer-gene/
13. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0015028222021306
14. https://www.statnews.com/2021/11/26/ivf-pregnancy-pgta-genetic-testing/
15. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/science/ethical/fertility2.htm
16. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/03/having-children-without-huntingtons/584869/