Assisted Reproduction and Cross-Border Maternal Surrogacy Regulations in Selected Nations

Abstract

Aims: To ascertain the laws and policies of selected high income countries, with respect to the disposition of their citizens seeking assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) internationally. Study Design: Literature review. Methodology: PubMed, Scopus and Google of various ART terms with terms relating to regulations in the selected nations of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, and Israel. Results: All nations except the USA have a federal ART regulatory presence, distinguish between gestational and traditional surrogacy, and between paid and unpaid surrogacy. Policies concerning the repatriation of children produced by ART abroad vary widely. Conclusions: Heterogeneous regulations are one of the drivers of the global reproductive tourism industry. Domestic regulationsare likely affected by both the values of a specific population and the needs of the industry.