An Israeli court has decided that a baby who was implanted in the wrong woman after an embryo mix-up should remain with her birth-mother and partner, rather than be returned to its biological parents.

The incident originally came to light after tests showed that a pregnant woman who underwent IVF was carrying a baby that was not genetically related to her or her husband.

While a lower court ruled the baby should be returned to its genetic parents, subject to appeal, a higher court has now reversed that decision.

The court also ruled that the child’s best interest requires recognising the birth mother’s partner as her legal father.

The judges claimed that maintaining a secure attachment with her current caregivers is of critical importance for the baby and separating her from them could cause irreversible harm.

Nonetheless, they also said it is critical to ensure the child maintains a relationship with her genetic parents.

The baby’s genetic parents responded to the verdict calling it unbearable and unjust.