Surrogacy ethics

Definition

Surrogacy ethics refers to the moral principles and dilemmas surrounding the practice of surrogacy, where a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another individual or couple. This area raises important questions about the rights of the surrogate mother, the intended parents, and the child, as well as broader societal implications of commodifying reproduction. It often involves considerations of autonomy, exploitation, and the implications of reproductive technologies on family dynamics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Surrogacy can be classified into two main types: traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate's own egg is used, and gestational surrogacy, where an embryo from the intended parents or donors is implanted.
2. Ethical concerns in surrogacy include the potential for exploitation of lower-income women who may become surrogates out of financial necessity.
3. Legal frameworks regarding surrogacy vary widely around the world, with some countries banning it outright while others have comprehensive regulations.
4. The emotional and psychological impact on all parties involved—surrogate mothers, intended parents, and children—plays a crucial role in discussions about surrogacy ethics.
5. Surrogacy ethics also includes considerations around parental rights, custody issues, and the welfare of the child born through surrogacy.

Review Questions

• What are some ethical concerns associated with surrogacy that impact both the surrogate mother and intended parents?
  • Ethical concerns in surrogacy primarily revolve around exploitation and consent. Surrogate mothers may face financial pressures that could lead them to enter into agreements without fully understanding or being able to negotiate their rights. This raises questions about their autonomy and whether they are being treated as mere vessels for reproduction. Additionally, intended parents must navigate complex emotional landscapes and legalities surrounding custody and parental rights, further complicating their moral responsibilities.
• Discuss how cultural perceptions of motherhood influence the ethical debate surrounding surrogacy.
  • Cultural perceptions of motherhood significantly shape the ethical landscape of surrogacy. In societies that hold traditional views on motherhood as a biological and nurturing role, surrogacy may be seen as undermining these values. Conversely, cultures that emphasize individual rights and reproductive choices might advocate for surrogacy as a legitimate option for building families. These differing views can lead to intense debates on whether surrogates are respected as mothers or viewed merely as service providers.
• Evaluate the implications of commodifying reproduction through surrogacy on societal views of family and parenthood.
  • Commodifying reproduction through surrogacy can shift societal views on family and parenthood by framing these concepts in terms of market transactions. This perspective raises questions about whether children are viewed as products rather than individuals with inherent rights. Such a shift could lead to new norms regarding family structures and parenting roles. Furthermore, it may challenge traditional definitions of family by legitimizing non-biological connections, thereby prompting a reevaluation of what it means to be a parent or a family unit in contemporary society.

Related terms

gestational surrogacy: A type of surrogacy where the surrogate is implanted with an embryo created through in vitro fertilization, making her not genetically related to the child.

reproductive rights: The rights of individuals to make decisions regarding reproduction and access reproductive health services, including issues like contraception and abortion.

bioethics: A field of study that examines the ethical implications of biological and medical procedures, technologies, and policies.