Reproductive Law

Reproductive law refers to the body of legal rules and regulations that govern the rights and responsibilities related to reproduction and reproductive health. It is a highly specialized area of the law and deals with a wide range of topics, including:

• Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) – Laws concerning fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy, and sperm/egg donation.
• Pregnancy rights and protections – Legal protections for pregnant individuals, such as workplace rights and medical decision-making.
• Parental rights and responsibilities – Legal frameworks defining parenthood, custody, and responsibilities following birth or ART.
• Adoption – Guiding the legal process to ensure compliance with all applicable laws; protecting the rights of all parties involved.
• Access to contraception – The right to obtain birth control and the regulation of contraceptive methods.
• Abortion laws – Whether, when, and under what circumstances a person can legally terminate a pregnancy.
• Sex education – Laws determining what kind of reproductive health education must or may be provided in schools.
• Sterilization and consent – Rules about who can undergo sterilization procedures and under what circumstances.

Reproductive law often intersects with broader legal areas such as human rights, healthcare law, bioethics, and family law. It is also highly influenced by social, political, religious, and cultural values, and can vary significantly across different countries or regions.

Mission Statement of the Legal Professional Group (LPG) of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)

The LPG’s purpose is to work collaboratively with ASRM members to raise awareness of, and to clarify the legal issues surrounding, assisted reproductive technologies (“ART”). The LPG’s mission is to promote ethical legal policies, practices, and protections for ART families, third-party collaborators and providers. It also seeks to broaden access to health care for those affected by infertility, reproductive or genetic disorders, and other challenges to their family building goals. Through advocacy and education, the LPG strives to enhance and contribute to the development of sound law and ethical legal practice in this evolving field.