In the U.S., Indiana becomes the first state to criminalize “fertility fraud” or assisted human reproduction scams. The law, signed on 6 May by the Governor of Indiana, will come into force on 1 July. It defines ‘fertility fraud’ as “the use by fertility specialists of their own sperm in treatment without the knowledge and prior consent of their patients”.
“We were told that there was no law to charge Cline or others who commit similar deplorable acts and that the only thing to do would be to create a law”, says Matt White, one of many genetic children of the IVF specialist Dr Donald Cline. “If this problem recurs in the future, patients and children will be protected”. The law provides for compensation of up to $10,000 for victims of fertility fraud.
For further reading:
Fertility fraud: are incriminated doctors protected by the law on sperm donor anonymity?
In Indiana, towards a crime of “fertility fraud”?
Bionews, Indiana first US state to write ‘fertility fraud’ into law