Myrisha S. Lewis, Regulating Conception: Science, Politics, and Reproductive Genetic Innovation (2026).

The library has recently added Regulating Conception: Science, Politics, and Reproductive Genetic Innovation to our collection. As part of our commitment to supporting the teaching and research needs of the law school community, we continue to expand our collection with books that explore timely and evolving legal issues. This thought-provoking book examines how assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF), are regulated in the United States.

The use of ART is becoming increasingly common. As of 2024, more than 8 million babies had been born through IVF worldwide, and that number does not even include births resulting from other forms of assisted reproduction. Despite the widespread use of these technologies, many people assume that ART operates in a regulatory “Wild Wild West.” In this book, Professor Myrisha S. Lewis of William & Mary Law School, a scholar of health law, family law, and bioethics, argues that this perception is inaccurate.

Lewis explains that ART is governed by a complex network of laws and policies. Many states have adopted statutes based on the Uniform Parentage Act, which addresses legal issues surrounding reproduction. Courts have also developed case law that establishes duties for fertility clinics. Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shaped the field through guidance documents, warning letters, and other forms of informal policymaking. Although these materials are not law in the traditional sense, they have significant practical effects on those working in reproductive medicine.

A central theme of the book is the relationship between politics and reproductive genetic innovation. Lewis argues that congressional funding decisions, FDA policies, and state regulation can all influence the pace of scientific advancement. She also contends that the personal views of policymakers and agency leaders can shape regulatory priorities, despite expectations that agencies act objectively. To describe this phenomenon, Lewis introduces the concept of “subterranean regulation,” referring to the informal and often opaque ways government agencies influence behavior outside of promulgating regulations.

Lewis concludes by arguing that greater transparency is needed in the regulation of ART. She contends that while many Americans believe the field to be largely unregulated, the current regulatory landscape actually hinders innovation and limits reproductive choice. Ultimately, Lewis advocates for a more transparent and less restrictive approach to regulating ART, arguing that such reforms would better protect reproductive autonomy while encouraging scientific innovation.

Whether you’re researching administrative law, health law, family law, bioethics, or reproductive rights, Regulating Conception offers valuable insights into the legal and political forces shaping assisted reproductive technologies. The book is available for checkout from the law library, and we invite students, faculty, and other researchers to stop by and borrow it.