What is the legal status of in vitro fertilization in the United States?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology that involves fertilizing an egg in a laboratory setting and then transferring the resulting embryo to the uterus. It has become a popular treatment for infertility in the United States and is legal in Washington. The legal status of IVF in the US is that it is regulated by the state rather than the federal government. Each state has the right to set its own regulations regarding IVF, and there is no federal law governing the use of this fertility treatment. In Washington, the Reproductive Privacy Act, which was passed in 1991, guarantees the right of a woman to choose IVF as an option for fertility treatment. The Act also prohibits government interference with a woman’s decision to use IVF, and requires the government to provide access to IVF facilities. Since the passage of the Reproductive Privacy Act, a number of other laws have been enacted to further protect the rights of those seeking IVF treatment. These include laws that protect the confidentiality of those seeking IVF and prohibit the use of IVF for sex selection. Overall, the legal status of IVF in the United States is largely determined by each state. However, the basic right to choose IVF as a method of fertility treatment is protected throughout the country, thanks to the Reproductive Privacy Act.

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