Legal Definitions - artificial insemination

Artificial insemination is a process used to achieve pregnancy by inserting semen into a woman's vagina through means other than sexual intercourse. This can be done using semen from the woman's husband or from a donor.

If the woman is married and her husband consents to the insemination, and a licensed physician performs the procedure, the husband is considered the father of the child. However, if the woman is unmarried, the donor may be considered the father depending on the laws of the jurisdiction.

There are two types of artificial insemination:

• Artificial insemination by husband (AIH): This is when the semen donor is the woman's husband.
• Artificial insemination by donor (AID): This is when the semen donor is someone other than the woman's husband.

For example, if a married couple is having difficulty conceiving, they may choose to undergo AIH with the help of a licensed physician. On the other hand, a single woman who wants to have a child may choose to undergo AID using donor sperm.

Overall, artificial insemination is a medical procedure that can help individuals and couples achieve their goal of having a child.