WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) introduced the Fighting Fertility Fraud Act of 2023 with Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Represenatitive Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA).
“Committing fertility fraud is a devastating and immoral violation of trust, privacy, and decency” said Rep. McClain. “I am introducing the Fighting Fertility Fraud Act so that anyone perpetuating this terrible crime is held to the highest standards of the law and faced with severe penalties. We owe it to every American family to protect against this heinous act, and that’s what we plan to do. I am proud to introduce this bill today alongside my colleagues, and I look forward to the day it becomes law.”
“Fertility fraud is a gross abuse of power and a terrible violation of an individual’s rights and privacy" said Rep. Dingell. "As someone who desperately wanted a child, I understand the intensity of this situation, and families should be confident in their safety in these sensitive times. As emerging genetic technology becomes more accessible, families here in Michigan and across the country are beginning to discover the devastating effects of these violations. Any medical professional or facility who commits or participates in fertility fraud should face criminal consequences, and victims should have recourse against the perpetrators.”
“Fertility fraud is devastating to families, and the fact that some of the doctors who are known to have participated in this are still practicing medicine today is abhorrent," said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. "Our bipartisan bill cracks down on this disgusting, unethical act and holds perpetrators accountable."
Additional Support:
“Congresswomen McClain’s donor-conceived bi-partisan led legislation, “Fighting Fertility Fraud Act of 2023”, heralds much-needed truth and transparency in the multibillion-dollar fertility industry. Clearly defined crimes under Fraud and False Statements as well as civil causes of action for all those impacted tackle the prevalence of fraud and misleading information in assisted reproduction that persists today. This bill provides both victims and prosecutors with the tools need to address and deter all types of fertility fraud. Currently, assisted reproduction is functionally a self-policed industry in the U.S and they are doing a poor job. We must protect parents who are increasingly using these technologies to create families, gamete providers, and the children born as a result. We implore our legislators to expedite this bill. Right to Know applauds Rep. McClain for her pioneering leadership and courage to stand up for all fertility fraud victims.” -Right to Know
"DonorDeceived is proud to support US Representative McClain (Michigan) and US Representative Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington) in introducing the “Fight For Fraud Act of 2023.” In a country where we spend billions on oversite/regulations for automotive and aerospace industries that transport human beings, we have little to no oversite/regulations on a fertility industry that actually makes human beings. Even our animal husbandry system has more oversite/regulations in place. Yet the growing number of fertility fraud cases, and the devastating consequences for many, continues to climb. Until the US is willing to step up and follow the lead of other countries in creating much needed regulations for the fertility industry, it’s time to start creating accountability and to provide rights to those harmed by fertility fraud and others unethical actions."
