University of North Dakota OB-GYN Chair Dr. Dennis Lutz Sued for Allegedly Using Own Sperm in Fertility Treatments

Dr. Dennis J. Lutz, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging that he used his own sperm during fertility treatments performed in the mid-1980s without the patient's knowledge or consent. The lawsuit, filed in Ward County District Court, names Jean Ann Nelson and her daughters, Tasheena Greaves and Janae Nelson Raymond, as plaintiffs.

According to court documents cited by Valley News Live, Nelson sought fertility treatment at the Medical Arts Clinic in Minot, North Dakota, after consenting to artificial insemination using anonymous donor sperm mixed with her husband's sperm. The complaint alleges that Lutz instead used his own sperm during multiple insemination procedures.

According to the amended complaint cited by Valley News Live, Nelson became pregnant three times after undergoing fertility treatment. The first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, while the subsequent pregnancies resulted in the births of Tasheena Greaves on Feb. 14, 1985, and Janae Nelson Raymond on May 22, 1986.

The amended complaint states that the biological relationship remained unknown for decades until DNA testing allegedly identified Dr. Dennis J. Lutz as the father of both daughters. It further alleges that genetic testing identified additional potential half-siblings, "suggesting that additional conceptions involving Dr. Lutz's genetic material may have occurred." The filing also raises questions about whether other patients treated during the same period may have been similarly affected.

According to the amended complaint cited by Valley News Live, the plaintiffs allege they suffered "significant emotional harm, loss of reproductive autonomy, and identity-related injuries." They are seeking damages exceeding $50,000 each, along with interest, court costs, and possible exemplary damages under North Dakota law. The plaintiffs have also demanded a jury trial.

According to Valley News Live, Dr. Dennis J. Lutz filed his answer in Ward County District Court on July 28, 2026, denying most allegations while arguing that the fertility care he provided in the mid-1980s met the accepted standards of the time.

In his court filing, Lutz acknowledged that Jean Ann Nelson did not consent to the use of his specifically identified genetic material and that DNA testing later established his biological relationship with Tasheena Greaves and Janae Nelson Raymond. However, he argued that Nelson had consented to anonymous donor insemination and agreed not to know or seek the donor's identity.

"Plaintiff Jean Ann Nelson consented to artificial insemination with anonymity as to the donor and specifically consented to not knowing the identification of the donor," the court filing states, according to Valley News Live.

Lutz denied allegations of fraud, medical battery, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He also asked the court to dismiss the complaint, arguing that some claims may be barred by applicable statutes of limitation and that the plaintiffs failed to state legally sufficient claims.

In fertility treatment, patients must agree to the use of donor sperm before undergoing artificial insemination. The lawsuit against Dr. Dennis J. Lutz alleges that the sperm used during Jean Ann Nelson's treatment differed from what she had consented to, making informed consent a central issue in the case.

Similar allegations involving physicians accused of using their own sperm without patients' knowledge have resulted in civil lawsuits in several US states. The case against Lutz adds to ongoing scrutiny of informed consent, patient autonomy, and accountability in fertility care.

Also see: Former Wisconsin OB-GYN Accused of Using Own Sperm in Fertility Treatments

The lawsuit remains a civil matter, and the allegations against Dr. Dennis J. Lutz have not been proven in court. The case continues to draw attention to patient consent, donor transparency, and oversight in fertility clinics, particularly when questions arise over donor identity and assisted reproduction.

(Rh/TP/MSM)