Surrogate mothers, or baby makers, are of interest to me. Uncomfortable questions keep bothering me about them.
I first heard of this concept through a simple Sunday school story where Abraham slept with his wife’s Egyptian maidservant, Hagar. She bore him a child called Ishmael (the so-called father of the Muslim religion). Then I read a similar case on Jacob’s marriage to Rachel, the woman whom he worked for 14 years, but was made “barren” by God after seeing how favored she was compared to her older sister, Leah, who was unloved despite being married to Jacob. There, Rachel let her maidservant, Bilhah, sleep with her husband to give her a baby and make a ‘family’. Weird, eh?
But it was a custom back then, so legality, neither morality, was out of the question. Now, “wombs for rent” are even lawful and profitable in India, offering infertile couples “sons/daughters” to complete a “family.” Nothing seems wrong with the arrangement on the surface, given the act being voluntary and risk-free (which I somehow doubt).
However, legal issues arise when hired mothers seem unprepared, misinformed, or unfit to decide for themselves (e.g. minors). Surrogacy, especially commercial surrogacy, has raised several ethical, legal, and moral concerns in today’s world. Rising infertility rates globally have driven the development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), with surrogacy becoming a common option for couples unable to conceive. In surrogacy, a surrogate mother carries and delivers a child for another individual or couple.
While the concept may seem straightforward, issues surrounding the practice are not. Two types of surrogacy exist: gestational surrogacy, where an embryo is implanted into the surrogate’s uterus, and traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate is both genetic and gestational mother . Surrogacy can be commercial, where the surrogate receives payment, or altruistic, where no compensation is given.
Countries vary in their stance on surrogacy, with India being a popular destination for fertility tourism due to the significantly lower costs compared to the US and UK. However, the lack of clear regulations often leads to the exploitation of both surrogate mothers and intended parents. Surrogacy, particularly commercial surrogacy, has raised numerous ethical, legal, and moral concerns. In India, the absence of strict regulations results in surrogate mothers, often from poor backgrounds, facing significant exploitation by middlemen and commercial agencies. They are often isolated, denied adequate healthcare, and may not receive payment if the pregnancy ends unfavorably (Saxena, Mishra, & Malik, 2012).
If I were barren, I wouldn’t consider this idea. Outsourcing a baby to complete a couple’s union would never be an option for me. I’d perhaps opt for adoption.
Surrogacy is a powerful tool, but it’s not a magic solution. It’s messy, it’s complicated, and it demands a whole lot of ethical consideration. So let’s talk about it. Let’s ask the tough questions. And let’s make sure we’re doing this in a way that’s fair, just, and compassionate for everyone involved.
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