Also known as: artificial insemination by donor · donor artificial insemination · AID · donor insemination
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A reproductive technique by which a woman is artificially inseminated with sperm from a donor who is presumed to have no continuing relationship with the resulting child. The procedure allows conception without using the sperm of an intended father such as a husband.
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Adrian Aguilar agreed to help a fertility clinic locate a donor for Anita Ali's artificial insemination-donor procedure. He introduced the clinic to a known sperm provider and coordinated the paperwork. When the arrangement later led to an unauthorized use of the sample, prosecutors charged Adrian with complicity. The court examined whether his actions amounted to aiding the clinic in carrying out the insemination.
Austin Abbott underwent an artificial insemination-donor procedure at a clinic and was placed under observation. The clinic staff realized they had a duty to release him once monitoring ended but intentionally delayed discharge to keep him confined. Austin sued for false imprisonment. The refusal to provide a means of exit after the procedure satisfied the confinement element.
Avalon Pharmaceuticals leased space to a fertility center that performed artificial insemination-donor procedures. The lease contained no express promise about maintaining specialized refrigeration, yet the surrounding circumstances showed the parties understood the equipment was required. When the center transferred its interest, the new tenant sought to enforce the refrigeration obligation. The court treated the duty as resting on an implied promise arising from the lease transaction.
Atlas Ventures formed a subsidiary to fund artificial insemination-donor programs at public clinics. The board approved the venture because it transacted lawful business that aided governmental family-planning policy. Minority shareholders challenged the action as beyond corporate powers. The court upheld the transaction under the authority to conduct business supporting public policy.
Alan Ackerman operated a fertility lab that performed artificial insemination-donor procedures. He realized that removing backup power during a storm would prevent staff from completing an ongoing insemination. When the outage delayed treatment and caused harm, the patient sued. The court considered whether the act was negligent because it prevented necessary protective action.
Artificial insemination-donor uses sperm from a third-party donor who has no intended ongoing relationship with the child. Artificial insemination-homologous instead uses sperm from the intended father, often the woman's husband.
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The procedure is listed with in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, egg transfer, and gestational surrogacy as methods to address fertility issues when a woman cannot produce or carry ova.
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