What is the legal status of embryo cryopreservation in the United States?
In the United States, embryo cryopreservation (or freezing) is legal in most states. There are no federal laws against the practice, and most states have laws that either explicitly allow cryopreservation or are silent on the topic, effectively making it legal. In Florida, cryopreservation is allowed by the Florida Statutes, which state that a woman may take any action required for the preservation or storage of her eggs, sperm, or embryos. This includes storage though cryopreservation or the transfer of embryos for storage in another location. Embryos stored through cryopreservation are typically stored until they can be used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Alternatively, the law in Florida also allows for the transfer of embryos to another person or a frozen embryo bank. The legal status of frozen embryos is considered that of property, rather than a person, meaning that the embryos cannot be the subjects of adoption or guardianship. In the United States, state laws on embryo cryopreservation vary, so it is important to be aware of the specific laws in each state before undergoing any IVF procedures. In Florida, however, cryopreservation is legal and allows individuals to store embryos for later use.
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