History of regulation of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in the USA: a work in progress

The advent of human assisted reproductive technology (ART) has engendered much legal and ethical debate. This article examines the evolution of regulation in ART in the USA and discusses the impetus for, and repercussions of, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in the UK. Key differences in government legislation between the UK and USA have driven the evolution of a distinct regulatory body that oversees ART in the USA. The National Advisory Board on Ethics in Reproduction (NABER) serves as an unofficial advisory body that addresses ethical issues in reproduction. The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) maintains a registry that collects, reports and verifies data for individual ART clinics. Clinic-specific success rates are readily available through annual reports published through a collaboration of SART, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the National Infertility Association (RESOLVE). The ASRM has assumed a strong advisory role in addressing ethical issues and practice guidelines in assisted reproduction. Thus, although there is no central body to regulate ART in the USA, basic legislation, standards and guidelines that drive the provision of these services do exist in the USA.