Fate of Human Eggs Becomes Divorce Issue

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — An estranged couple’s fight over the fate of seven fertilized human eggs goes to court today. Junior Lewis Davis seeks to prevent his wife, Mary Sue Davis, from attempting to become pregnant with any of the eggs now that they are getting divorced. Davis says he no longer wants to have a child with her.

The eggs were taken from Mrs. Davis and fertilized with Davis’ sperm in an in-vitro fertilization program the couple entered six years ago in hopes of having a so-called “test-tube baby.” She has said that the eggs are the result of years of surgery, tests and self-administered injections and are her best chance at having a child.