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Surrogacy . A Basic Definition:. An arrangement in which a woman agrees to become pregnant for the purpose of carrying a child that others will raise. The word comes from the Latin word surrogatus, meaning substitute. Surrogate literally means “appointed to act in place of” .
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A Basic Definition: An arrangement in which a woman agrees to become pregnant for the purpose of carrying a child that others will raise. The word comes from the Latin word surrogatus, meaning substitute. Surrogate literally means “appointed to act in place of”
Types of Surrogate Mothers: Traditional surrogacy-Genetic mother Gestational surrogacy- the surrogate is implanted with someone else’s fertilized egg.
A History: • Many say it goes back to the beginning of time- mentioned in the bible • 1976-the first legal agreement took place-no compensation for surrogate. • 1978-The first In vitro fertilization (IVF) • 1980-First paid traditional surrogate. • 1983-first successful pregnancy via egg donation. • 1985-the first gestational surrogacy took place. • Between 1976 and 1988 600 babies were born via surrogacy. Between 1988 and 1992, over 5000 were born. • 2001- Oldest surrogate • 2005- 54 year old woman gives birth to quintuplets as a gestational surrogate.
Emotional: The bond of marriage becomes confused when a second woman enters the process, especially with traditional surrogacy. The surrogate might become to attached to the fetus and not want to give it up when she gives birth. If the surrogate is completely cut off from the child, she might not be able to handle the stress of not seeing it grow up, especially with traditional surrogacy. Many couples are unsure whether to tell the child if it came from a surrogate arrangement or not.
Ethical Debate (Pro) Surrogacy allows couples are infertile or otherwise unable to conceive to have a family. People should be allowed to make personal arrangements of any kind as long as others remain unharmed. Because of the lengths it took for the child to come into this world it would be loved and cared for. Most surrogate mothers are motivated by altruistic concerns for other women to be able to have children.
Ethical Debate (con) • What happens when either the surrogate or the couple change their mind? • What happens if the child has serious disabilities? • When the mother is motivated by money and not altruism, how does one ensure that she is doing everything in her power to make sure the child is healthy? (No drugs, etc.) • Many gestational surrogates end up having multiple births, what happens then? • It devalues the sanctity of marriage when another woman is involved. • Do “test tube babies” lessen the dignity of the creation of a human soul?
Social Issues Regarding Surrogacy The world is already overpopulated, if a couple cannot conceive, then some would say they ought to adopt a less fortunate child. Is it right to pay someone to create a human? Often times, the contracting parents are upper-middle class and the surrogate mother is below the poverty line. Is it acceptable for gay and lesbian couples to turn to surrogacy?
Minnesota Surrogacy Laws The law in Minnesota regarding surrogacy is rather unclear. There is no law specifically regarding surrogacy whatsoever. However there is anecdotal evidence that Minnesota would look favorably on GLBT surrogacy.
Discussion: How do you feel about surrogacy? Would you be a surrogate mother, whether for a fee or out of the goodness of your heart? Would you pay for a surrogate if you were in able to conceive? What other issues do you think regard surrogacy?
