Alternative Reproductive Technology (ART), also known as assisted reproductive technology, can be defined as an alternative to traditional reproduction, used by persons who are infertile. It is also a term that encompasses in vitro fertilization, sperm donation, ovum donation, the use of a surrogate carrier etc.
ART was defined in 1992 by Section 8 of the Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act (FCSRCA or Public Law 102-493) as “all treatments or procedures which include the handling of human oocytes or embryos, including in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer, zygote intrafallopian transfer, and such other specific technologies as the Secretary may include in this definition, after making public any proposed definition in such manner as to facilitate comment from any person (including any Federal or other public agency).”
[Last updated in November of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team]