American Society for Reproductive Medicine Announces New Task Force to Strengthen Gestational Carrier Practices and Protections
The task force will develop recommendations to safeguard all patients while preserving access to a vital therapy and essential path to parenthood.
BALTIMORE, MD — The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) today announced the formation of a new Gestational Carrier Task Force to examine current practices and develop recommendations to strengthen protections for everyone involved in gestational carrier arrangements while preserving access to this essential family-building option.
The task force is being announced during the 2026 Scientific Congress & Expo in Baltimore and will be chaired by Sigal Klipstein, MD, outgoing Chair of ASRM's Ethics Committee. The group will bring together professionals representing the breadth of expertise within ASRM to assess the current landscape of gestational carrier arrangements and identify opportunities to improve practices, strengthen safeguards and support informed decision-making.
“Gestational carriers provide an essential path to parenthood for individuals and families who otherwise may not be able to have children, and we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone involved is informed, supported and protected,” said Robert E. Brannigan, MD, outgoing President of ASRM. “That’s why we are taking a proactive approach to examine these challenges and find meaningful solutions that protect the gestational carriers, intended parents, and providers without unnecessarily restricting access to care.”
The task force will evaluate existing practices and develop recommendations for the ASRM Board of Directors, which may include new educational initiatives, professional standards, regulatory recommendations and other measures to improve the safety, transparency and ethical practice of gestational carrier arrangements.
The formation of the task force comes amid growing public scrutiny of gestational carrier arrangements and legislative efforts that could restrict access to care. ASRM recognizes the importance of addressing legitimate concerns and strengthening protections while ensuring that all patients who rely on gestational carriers can continue to access this vital treatment.
The task force is expected to begin its work later this year and continue through the first part of 2027, with a goal of presenting its findings and recommendations to the ASRM Board of Directors by mid-2027. Additional task force members will be announced at a later date.
The task force is being announced during the 2026 Scientific Congress & Expo in Baltimore and will be chaired by Sigal Klipstein, MD, outgoing Chair of ASRM's Ethics Committee. The group will bring together professionals representing the breadth of expertise within ASRM to assess the current landscape of gestational carrier arrangements and identify opportunities to improve practices, strengthen safeguards and support informed decision-making.
“Gestational carriers provide an essential path to parenthood for individuals and families who otherwise may not be able to have children, and we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone involved is informed, supported and protected,” said Robert E. Brannigan, MD, outgoing President of ASRM. “That’s why we are taking a proactive approach to examine these challenges and find meaningful solutions that protect the gestational carriers, intended parents, and providers without unnecessarily restricting access to care.”
The task force will evaluate existing practices and develop recommendations for the ASRM Board of Directors, which may include new educational initiatives, professional standards, regulatory recommendations and other measures to improve the safety, transparency and ethical practice of gestational carrier arrangements.
“A responsible system does not promise the impossible, which is to say that nothing will go wrong. Instead, it reduces preventable risks, preserves autonomy, and creates a framework for navigating conflict when the unexpected happens,” said Sigal Klipstein, MD, incoming Chair of the Gestational Carrier Task Force. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to help ensure gestational carrier arrangements are conducted safely, ethically and with the safeguards that all patients deserve.”
The formation of the task force comes amid growing public scrutiny of gestational carrier arrangements and legislative efforts that could restrict access to care. ASRM recognizes the importance of addressing legitimate concerns and strengthening protections while ensuring that all patients who rely on gestational carriers can continue to access this vital treatment.
The task force is expected to begin its work later this year and continue through the first part of 2027, with a goal of presenting its findings and recommendations to the ASRM Board of Directors by mid-2027. Additional task force members will be announced at a later date.
For almost a century, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has been the global leader in multidisciplinary reproductive medicine research, ethical practice, and education. ASRM impacts reproductive care and science worldwide by creating funding opportunities for advancing reproduction research and discovery, by providing evidence-based education and public health information, and by advocating for reproductive health care professionals and the patients they serve. With members in more than 100 countries, the Society is headquartered in Washington, DC, with additional operations in Birmingham, AL. www.asrm.org
For media inquiries regarding this press release contact:
Sean Tipton
ASRM Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer
E: stipton@asrm.org
Anna Hovey
Advocacy Engagement Specialist
E: ahovey@asrm.org
J. Benjamin Younger Office of Public Affairs
726 7th St. SE
Washington, DC 20003
Tel: (202) 863-2494
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