Families, Assisted Reproduction and the Law

Abstract

This article considers the legal rules allocating parentage between the genetic, gestational and social parents in the light of evidence about the views of those involved in the process. It suggests that the idea of responsibility, rather than that of intention, would provide a more useful way of thinking about the legal rules, and advocates more imaginative use of birth certificates to accommodate the different needs of the parties.

Keywords: family law, child law, assisted reproduction, genetic, gestational, social, parents