Surrogacy

Definition

Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another individual or couple, who are typically unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy themselves. This practice can take various forms, including traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate uses her own egg, and gestational surrogacy, where the embryo is created using the intended parents' or donors' gametes. Surrogacy raises important ethical, legal, and emotional considerations that intersect with human reproduction and fertility.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Surrogacy can be either traditional or gestational; traditional involves the surrogate's egg while gestational uses a separate egg donor.
2. Legal regulations surrounding surrogacy vary significantly between countries and even within states, impacting the rights of all parties involved.
3. Intended parents often undergo extensive medical evaluations before proceeding with surrogacy to ensure they are fit for parenthood.
4. The process of selecting a surrogate usually includes psychological evaluations and legal agreements to protect all parties' interests.
5. Surrogacy can lead to complex emotional dynamics, not only for the intended parents but also for the surrogate and any children involved.

Review Questions

• How does gestational surrogacy differ from traditional surrogacy, and what implications do these differences have for intended parents?
  • Gestational surrogacy involves creating an embryo using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors, making the surrogate merely a carrier without genetic ties to the child. In contrast, traditional surrogacy uses the surrogate's own egg, meaning she has a biological connection to the child. This difference impacts legal considerations, emotional attachments, and parental rights, making gestational surrogacy more commonly preferred due to clearer legal frameworks.
• Discuss the ethical considerations surrounding surrogacy arrangements for both surrogates and intended parents.
  • Ethical considerations in surrogacy include issues of exploitation, particularly if the surrogate is from a lower socio-economic background. Concerns also arise regarding informed consent, as some surrogates may not fully understand the physical and emotional implications of carrying someone else's child. Additionally, there are questions about parental rights and the potential for disputes over custody if relationships sour. These factors require careful planning and legal agreements to protect everyone's interests.
• Evaluate how societal views on surrogacy have changed in recent years and what impact this has had on laws governing reproductive technologies.
  • Societal views on surrogacy have shifted towards greater acceptance as awareness of infertility issues has increased and more families seek alternative paths to parenthood. This change has led to more public discussions about reproductive rights and ethical practices within assisted reproduction. As a result, some jurisdictions have begun to revise laws governing surrogacy to provide better protections for all parties involved, recognizing the complex nature of these arrangements. This evolving landscape reflects changing attitudes towards family formation and reproductive autonomy.

Related terms

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A medical procedure that involves combining an egg and sperm outside the body to create an embryo, which can then be implanted in a surrogate.

Infertility: The inability of a couple to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.

Reproductive Rights: The legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health, including the right to access fertility treatments and make decisions about parenthood.