Legal issues of regulating relations arising from assisted reproductive technologies complicated by the "foreign element"

Introduction: this article discusses the problem of choice of law rules to govern relations arising as a result of the use of assisted reproductive technologies where a foreign element is involved. The article highlights the issues of conflicting norms arising due to the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogate motherhood. The article states that the use of assisted reproductive technology demands solution to the issue of choosing competent rules of law for regulating contractual relations regarding IVF and surrogate motherhood, as well as for determining the origin of children born as a result of the use of the technologies mentioned. Purpose: to identify the issues of legal regulation of relations arising from the use of assisted reproductive technologies complicated by the "foreign element", and to suggest ways of improving conflict rules regulation. Methods: the methodological framework of this work is based on the following methods of scientific cognition: dialectical, historical, formal-logical, analytical, statistical, comparative law, and also the method of classification. Conclusions: regulation of conflicting norms should be developed through the use of in vitro fertilization subject to compliance with the international agreements and national legislation. The problems of conflicting norms arising from the use of assisted reproductive technologies can be solved by increasing the harmonization of law within the framework of regional organizations of countries. Eligibility of making appropriate amendments to the Kishinev Convention of 7 October 2002 "Convention on Legal Assistance and Conflicts of Law in Matters of Civil, Family and Criminal Law " is justified. Furthermore, the article reasons in favor of the use of autonomy of the free will of the parties (lex voluntatis) as the main conflict-of-law principle of regulating contracts in the field of assisted reproductive technologies.