In 1995, a Woman Got a Call That Shook Her to Her Core—and Ignited an International Scandal. It Took Almost 30 Years to Come Full Circle.
In 1995, Renée Ballou received a shocking call revealing that her eggs had been stolen by a fertility clinic, leading to the birth of a child she never knew existed. This revelation sparked a significant scandal in the fertility industry, exposing unethical practices by medical professionals. Ballou's journey through this ordeal spanned nearly 30 years, culminating in a landmark legal battle and personal growth.
- ▪Renée Ballou struggled with infertility and underwent treatments in the 1980s.
- ▪In 1995, she learned from a reporter that her eggs had been used without her consent, resulting in the birth of a child.
- ▪The scandal revealed widespread ethical violations in the fertility industry, affecting multiple women.
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Family Dr. Gift In 1995, a woman got a phone call that shook her—and helped ignite an international scandal. It took almost 30 years to come full circle. By Christina Cauterucci May 21, 20265:40 AM Illustration by Natalie Matthews-Ramo/Slate Copy Link Share Share Comment Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. In the early 1980s, Renée Ballou and her husband had all the trappings of a perfect California life. Ballou was a sales manager for a carpet mill. Her husband owned his own business. They had a son, a happy little boy who loved soccer. But for Ballou, something was missing. “I never wanted just to have one child,” she told me.
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