Surrogate Mothering and Contract Pregnancies

Reproductive technologies have advanced incredibly and imaginably into the realm of science fiction theories from, say, a relatively recent 50 years go. As seeing that the simplest of these technologies employed in contraception have already incited dubious controversies, more complex-and perhaps, morally shocking-methods stir an even greater slate of controversies and debates. The most outlandish of these issues could be the modern phenomenon of surrogate mothering and contract pregnancies-a rather resourceful and creative income generator for women who would prefer it over prostitution, and possibly an ingenious solution for infertile or non-traditional couples. Celebrities have done their part in helping surrogacy achieve a mystical notoriety-take Michael Jackson's "superkid" from nurse-cum-surrogate-mom Debbie Rowe and most recently, singer Melissa Etheridge, whose partner is expecting a baby with a nameless and faceless sperm donor. As with any novel technology, though, surrogacy can get quite dirty. It is wise to examine the multifaceted ethical questions and implications before subjecting into the temptation of power that science affords us to trick nature.

What is surrogacy? It is a process that involves a woman who is inseminated with a sperm, or possibly implanted with both an egg and sperm, of an individual or couple who has contracted her services. Her task is to carry the baby to term and upon delivery, she relinquishes all claim to the baby in exchange for a monetary compensation. This involves contracts and the requesting individual or couple usually provides allowances and health coverage for the surrogate mother during the period of gestation.

Selling Babies and Bodies