LOS ANGELES – An administrative judge is considering whether the fertility doctor for "Octomom" Nadya Suleman should keep his medical license.
Lawyers wrapped up closing arguments Thursday in the state medical board hearing for Dr. Michael Kamrava.
Earlier in the day, Kamrava testified that Suleman had agreed to be implanted with 12 embryos as part of a study on fertility methods, disputing a prosecutor's assertion that Suleman was an unwitting participant.
Lawyers for Kamrava say his decision to treat Suleman as part of a study is not enough to revoke his license.
The state's attorney says his license must be revoked to ensure he will never provide fertility treatments in California again.
Kamrava is accused of gross negligence for implanting Suleman with 12 embryos and failing to properly treat two other patients.
The judge has 60 days to submit his recommendation to the state medical board for a final decision.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The fertility doctor for "Octomom" Nadya Suleman said Thursday she agreed to be implanted with 12 embryos as part of a study on fertility methods, disputing a prosecutor's assertion that Suleman was an unwitting participant.
Dr. Michael Kamrava, who retook the witness stand ahead of closing arguments in his state medical board hearing, said Suleman volunteered for the procedure and signed a consent form listing risks.
However, Deputy Attorney General Judith Alvarado repeatedly asserted through questioning that Suleman could not have known that she was a test subject.
Asked how Suleman knew about the study, Kamrava said, "She heard about it, we discussed it with her and she volunteered."
Alvarado asked: "Where did she sign to say I'm a volunteer to be tested as a human guinea pig?"
Kamrava said Suleman signed the consent form, but no document identified in the hearing indicated she had specific knowledge of the study.
Food and Drug Administration investigator Donna Tartaglino Besone testified earlier that Kamrava used Suleman as part of the experiment.
The FDA inspector met with Kamrava at his Beverly Hills clinic earlier this year, conducting an announced five-day inspection of his equipment and documentation.
Inspectors were seeking information on a method Kamrava created and uses in which a catheter inserting embryos into the uterine lining is guided by a tiny camera.
Kamrava testified the procedure allows him to avoid scratching the uterine walls with the catheter and to find an ideal area of the lining to implant the embryos.
Kamrava's lawyer Henry Fenton objected to questioning as irrelevant to the doctor's licensing hearing.
The board is trying to revoke the doctor's medical license, alleging gross negligence in his treatment of Suleman and two other patients.
He implanted a dozen embryos into Suleman that resulted in the birth of her octuplets last year. The fertility specialist has testified that he regrets implanting so many embryos.
Thursday marked was the second time Kamrava testified during the proceedings. Closing arguments followed his testimony.
After this hearing ends, the administrative law judge overseeing the case will draft an opinion and submit it to the state medical board, which will make the final decision on whether Kamrava can legally keep practicing medicine in California.
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