Complete Adoption and Fertility Legal Guide

July 1, 2004
Sember, an attorney, offers a simple and useful primer for those struggling with fertility issues. She begins with adoption, explaining roles, responsibilities and legalities for birth mothers and adoptive parents; she then breaks down the various types of adoption (e.g., foreign vs. domestic; open vs. closed; agency vs. lawyer) and helpfully composes a pros and cons list for each one ("the type of adoption you choose will have an impact on your child"). Sember doesn't leave anyone out, and includes guidelines for single-parent, adult, and gay and lesbian adoptions. In the second part of the book, she takes a close look at infertility treatment, beginning with the chapter"Understanding & Evaluating Reproductive Technologies." She explains,"It is important that you come into the process with a good understanding of why natural conception is not working for you and what conditions or problems have brought you here." She then prepares a list of questions to ask reproductive specialists and explains such treatments as insemination, egg donation and surrogacy. She concludes with a glossary of terms and a solid list of references, including books, magazines and agencies.

August 1, 2004
Attorney Sember manages to addressalbeit in a glancing fashionthe major areas of adoption, both legal and emotional. It's all here, from decisions, procedures, and child rearing tips to second-parent, kinship, domestic agency, international, parent-facilitated, single-parent, and gay and lesbian adoptions. Sember also covers fertility options, including insemination, egg and embryo donation, cryopreservation, and other emerging technologies, evaluating each pointedly and accurately. Best of all are the handy one-page charts that weigh the pros and cons of various decisions regarding fertility and adoptions. The appendixes include suggestions, organizations, forms, and contact information for state offices. Highly recommended for all public libraries.

Copyright 2004 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.