{"id":351982,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:46","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/surrogacy-artificial-conception\/artificial-conception.html"},"modified":"2023-07-26T13:52:24","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T18:52:24","slug":"artificial-conception","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/surrogacy-artificial-conception\/artificial-conception.html","title":{"rendered":"Artificial Conception"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Artificial Conception<\/h1>\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Modern medical science has made it possible for prospective parents unable to conceive a child naturally to have children by artificial means. But the practice of artificial conception also raises a number of legal and ethical questions. Examples of such concerns are the storage and destruction of unused embryos.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

This sub-section of FindLaw’s Family Law Center<\/a> has basic information about artificial conception. It includes information about artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization. It includes a guide to which questions to ask a fertility service when considering the procedure. It also includes a sample intake form to help you prepare for a meeting with an attorney.
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Both the intended parents and the gestational carrier should know their rights. Continue reading to learn more.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Artificial Insemination?<\/h2>\r\n

Artificial insemination is a medical procedure used to treat infertility. It involves the direct insertion of semen into a woman’s womb. It is a process originally used on livestock that has been adapted for human use.<\/p>\r\n

The sperm can originate from the woman’s male partner or a donor if the male is infertile or there is no male partner (i.e., single woman or woman in a same-sex relationship). Of course, the donor cannot be a family member. Most states have laws in place against this.<\/p>\r\n

Artificial insemination is beneficial to couples or individuals in many circumstances. For example, a couple may be producing healthy sperm and eggs but are unable to conceive through intercourse due to a medical condition.<\/p>\r\n

This type of insemination generally involves donor sperm or an egg donor. It can also involve an embryo transfer once the fetus has reached a certain stage of development with the gestational surrogate.<\/p>\r\n

An embryo transfer involves the implantation of the embryo from the gestational carrier (or from the surrogate’s uterus) into the person wanting to carry the fetus to term. These types of clinics can assist in the surrogacy process. In artificial fertilization, a fertilized egg is created by exposing an egg to sperm from either a donor or another parental participant in this process.<\/p>\r\n

Artificial insemination is different from in vitro fertilization. The process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg transplantation involves fertilization of the egg outside the womb. This relatively new procedure has caused several questions as to the rights of the various parties and remedies available to them if wrongful acts occur related to the procedure.<\/p>\r\n

What Is Infertility?<\/h2>\r\n

Infertility is a disease or condition<\/a> of the reproductive system often diagnosed after:<\/p>\r\n