According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (asrm):
"Assisted Reproductive Technologies are all treatments which include the handling of eggs and sperm and/or embryos. Some examples of ART are in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), pronuclear stage tubal transfer (PROST), tubal embryo transfer (TET), and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT)."
To learn more about assisted reproductive technology you can read the blog post: "What is Assisted Reproductive Technology?"
"Third party reproduction" refers to involving someone other than the individual or couple that plans to raise the child (intended parent[s]) in the process of reproduction. - American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Egg donation, sperm donation, embryo donation, and gestational surrogacy are all forms of third party reproduction.
Surrogacy is a way for individuals or couples to grow their family by having a child or children with the help of a gestational carrier or surrogate. The gestational carrier or surrogate carries and births the child(ren) conceived through IVF and embryo transfer for the benefit of the intended parents without becoming a legal parent.
Further reading about surrogacy:
The Surrogacy Process in Maine
The 'New' New York Surrogacy Law: The Child-Parent Securty Act
Legally, there are five requirements to be a surrogate or gestational carrier in Maine according to The Maine Parentage Act: Title 19-A Section 1931. In order to qualify as a surrogate or gestational carrier you must:
(1) be at least 21 years of age;
(2) have previously given birth to at least one child;
(3) have completed a medical evaluation and a mental health evaluation;
(4) have independent legal representation paid for by the intended parents; and
(5) not contribute eggs or genetic material unless you are a family member of one intended parent.
New York sets forth a list of eligibility requirements for gestational surrogates in The Child Parent Security Act, and specifically New York Family Court Act §581-402.
These requirements include: an age requirement, citizenship/residency requirement, and strict legal requirements relating to independent legal representation by a licensed New York attorney for all parties to the Gestational Surrogacy Agreement. New York surrogacy law also requires a specific life insurance policy, and medical insurance paid for by the Intended Parents on behalf of the Gestational Carrier. Medical evaluations and mental health evaluations are also required and must meet all requirements set forth by the New York Commissioner of Health as specified in the New York State Department of Health Clinical Guidelines.
Traditional surrogacy remains illegal in New York.
Some forms of assisted reproductive technology provide couples and individuals struggling with fertility the option of having a child who is genetically related to them, or sometimes genetically related to one individual in a couple. It also provides the opportunity for establishing legal parentage of their child prior to birth.
For couples who choose embryo donation, while a genetic connection may not exist, it provides the individual gestating parent the opportunity to experience pregnancy, and their partner to have the experience of a non-gestating parent throughout the pregnancy.
Not gestational surrogates AKA gestational carriers! Gestational surrogacy arrangements are significantly more common than traditional surrogacy arrangements.
Gestational Carrier: a woman who carries a child she is not genetically related to for the benefit of the intended parents or intended parent.
Traditional Surrogate: a woman who both provides the egg for conception and carries a child for the benefit of the intended parents or intended parent.