Third board member quits fertility industry watchdog

Another board member has suddenly quit the troubled federal agency meant to police Canada’s thriving fertility industry, prompting calls for a public investigation of the organization and its controversial record. Irene Ryll, who runs an Edmonton support group for parents using reproductive technology, handed in her resignation over the weekend, becoming the third director in 2-1/2 months to leave Assisted Human Reproduction Canada (AHRC). Outside experts say the unheralded departures add to dark clouds over the three-year-old agency, which has failed to even begin its key task of regulating the fertility business. AHRC has an annual budget of about $10-million. “It’s obviously a mess,” said Diane Allen, head of the Infertility Network, an advocacy organization. “Some sort of investigation or explanation ought to be forthcoming ... This is about the creation of human life, and the purpose of the [law] is to safeguard the health and safety of fertility patients and the children born to them, and the agency is charged with overseeing that.” Ms. Ryll could not be reached for comment. Her move comes after the resignations in March...