( CNN ) Sofia Vergara 's ex-fiance is speaking out about their dispute over frozen embryos created while they dated . In an op-ed published by The New York Times on Wednesday , Nick Loeb explained his rationale for fighting to keep the two female embryos he shares with the actress . `` I wanted to keep this private , but recently the story broke to the world , '' Loeb wrote . `` It has gotten attention not only because of the people involved -- my ex is Sofia Vergara , who stars in the ABC series `` Modern Family '' -- but also because embryonic custody disputes raise important questions about life , religion and parenthood . '' Loeb says he met the actress in 2010 and they got engaged two years later , at which point they decided to create the embryos and conceive a child via a surrogate . After two attempts failed to bring fertilized embryos to term , they created two more embryos using her eggs and his sperm . `` When we create embryos for the purpose of life , should we not define them as life , rather than as property ? , '' he said . `` ... A woman is entitled to bring a pregnancy to term even if the man objects . Should n't a man who is willing to take on all parental responsibilities be similarly entitled to bring his embryos to term even if the woman objects ? '' Loeb said he filed a complaint against the 42-year-old actress to prevent her from destroying their two embryos conceived through in vitro fertilization . He filed it in August in Santa Monica , California , where they apparently lived while they dated . `` We signed a form stating that any embryos created through the process could be brought to term only with both parties ' consent . The form did not specify -- as California law requires -- what would happen if we separated , '' he said. `` I am asking to have it voided . '' Representatives for Vergara have declined to comment in the past . Loeb has said he believes `` life begins at fertilization '' and wants to implant the embryos in a surrogate and bring them to term . He said he does n't want any money from the egg donor . The case has led to questions about who has the right to embryos . Typically , a prior legal agreement between a couple spells out who has ultimate authority , said fertility specialist Dr. David Tourgeman , who 's not involved in this case . `` Usually when embryos are created , whether the couple is married or just consenting adults , there 's usually a power of attorney that is described to these embryos , if they are frozen for future use , '' he said . In most cases , the mother or the origin of the egg is given power of attorney , although anyone can make a request , Tourgeman said . If there 's a disagreement , the courts usually get involved to decide who legally owns the embryos , he said . Vergara is now reportedly engaged to actor Joe Manganiello .
Loeb says he filed a lawsuit against the actress to prevent her from raising their two daughters . The couple destroyed the embryos while they were engaged .