In 1978, Louise Brown, the “test tube baby,” was born in England, the first baby conceived by the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Then, in 1984, Zoe Leyland was born in Australia, the first baby from a frozen embryo. Today, some estimate that more than one million frozen embryos are in storage.

IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have revolutionized parenthood, and have been a blessing to many. But these marvelous scientific advancements have come with unprecedented and profound legal and ethical issues, with the science always ahead of the law. ART legislation has been spotty. Courts are often left to grapple with the issues on a case-by-case basis. This area cries out for comprehensive legislation.