Regulation of Assisted Reproductive Technology in the United States: ART is one of most highly regulated of all medical practices in the U.S.
RSC wants to reassure our patients that we follow standards set by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the largest organization of reproductive physicians in the United States. ASRM guidelines are widely followed and successful but when they are breached, such as the recent octuplet birth in California, the public, spurred by sensationalized media coverage, is understandably concerned. (In fact, existing regulation, both private and governmental, is working to punish the individual responsible in that case.)
RSC agrees with ASRM that "it is preferable that the clinical judgment of highly trained specialty physicians, brought to bear on the particular circumstances of each case and made with evidence-based national guidelines in mind, determine the course of treatment. While properly crafted language in a widely adopted medical practice act requiring specialists in ART to follow ASRM guidelines unless otherwise indicated might improve the uniformity of practice nationwide, it is important to recognize that ART is already one of most highly regulated of all medical practices in the United States."
You can read the ASRM's current brochure, "Oversight of Assisted Reproductive Technology," published May 25, 2010.
