Yes, IVF is legal in Taiwan, but subject to stringent regulatory oversight by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) under the Assisted Reproduction Act.
Taiwan legalized IVF in 2007, permitting its use for married couples with infertility issues, though access remains tightly controlled. The Human Assisted Reproduction Act (2007, amended 2023) governs all fertility treatments, with the MOHW enforcing compliance through hospital licensing and procedural audits. Recent 2026 amendments introduce stricter embryo storage limits (10 years) and mandatory genetic screening for high-risk cases, reflecting evolving ethical and medical standards.
Key Regulations for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in Taiwan
- Licensing and Facility Requirements: Only hospitals accredited by the MOHW may perform IVF; private clinics require explicit permits. Facilities must maintain cryopreservation standards compliant with the Tissue Act and undergo biennial inspections.
- Patient Eligibility: IVF is restricted to legally married heterosexual couples with documented infertility (defined as failure to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse). Single women and same-sex couples are excluded under current law.
- Embryo and Gamete Handling: Embryo creation is capped at 15 per cycle, with surplus embryos requiring storage or disposal per MOHW directives. Post-2026, all embryos must undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) if the mother is over 35 or has a hereditary condition.