1. SURROGACY
Surrogacy is a term used to describe a course of actions that goes outside natural
reproduction, particularly, when a woman accedes to become pregnant and give birth to a
child to a contracted party, also known as surrogate mother. The practice of surrogacy has
become a matter of debate and criticism considering the psychological problems that the
surrogate mother could develop, the legal complications, and the social and religious
response concerning artificial procreation.
Surrogacy can be approached in different ways: traditional or gestational, depending on the
aspiring parents’ needs. Traditional surrogacy is a practice in which the surrogate mother is
genetically related to the baby she is carrying. Generally, a male intended parent or a sperm
donor provides semen sample, which is then placed in the fertile surrogate’s uterus. In
either case, the process is carried out through artificial insemination employing the
surrogate’s eggs. Gestational surrogacy is the process in which the surrogate mother is not
genetically associated with the baby she is bearing. This procedure is when an egg is
extracted from the infertile intended mother then fertilized out of the body by the fertile
male’s sperm, known as the in vitro fertilization or IVF. The embryo is then transferred to
the gestational surrogate, who acts just as a human incubator.
Traditional Surrogacy is generally seen as the most risky procedure to take, considering the
psychological problems that can cause to the surrogate mother and the legal aspects it may
present. The surrogate mother may develop post-part depression. Having a baby might not
be easily forgotten, mainly because pregnancy involves many physical changes which do
not disappear overnight, such as gaining weight, among others. Apart from this, substitute
2. mothers can develop a prenatally bond with the baby. As a consequence, it may be really
hard for the woman to deliver the new born to the prearranged parents.
As regards the legal complications concerning surrogacy, the biological mother has more
lawful benefits than the intended parents. The surrogate mother has the right to keep the
child if she changes her mind, even if the baby is not genetically related to her. Besides,
intended parents only rely on adoption, but at least, one of them must be genetically
associated to the infant to obtain a parental order. What is more, it can be really difficult to
take a child back to the intended parents’ country if they make a surrogacy arrangement
abroad.
Finally, there are much controversy in how surrogacy is perceived by the church and the
society itself. It is said that it is not proper to interfere with the natural reproduction and
that humans do not have the right to dominate over nature or alter god’s plans. On the other
hand, some people argue that efforts should be made to improve the life and health of
infants that already exist, claiming that there are hundreds of orphans waiting for a caring
family.
Surrogacy is a practice that is surrounded by many controversial issues and as a
consequence it is not a topic free of disagreement and conflict. I personally believe that
surrogacy is a gift of modern science as it can give a person the opportunity to experience
the joy of parenthood, although I consider adoption much more beneficial to the society
since it may provide children that already exist an opportunity to live in a dreamed
environment.
