What is Altruistic Surrogacy?
Surrogacy is the process in which a woman carries a pregnancy on behalf of another person or couple. It is an arrangement in which the surrogate mother carries the child to term and gives birth to a child for intended parents. Altruistic surrogacy is a type of surrogacy in which a surrogate mother voluntarily carries and gives birth to a child for intended parents without receiving any financial compensation for the process. Altruistic surrogacy is a compassionate and selfless act of giving life to a couple who cannot have children on their own. In this article, we will discuss altruistic surrogacy in detail, including the definition, types, pros and cons, legal issues, and social implications.
Definition of Altruistic Surrogacy
Altruistic surrogacy is a surrogacy arrangement in which a surrogate mother agrees to carry and give birth to a child for intended parents without receiving any financial compensation or gain. It is a selfless act of giving life to a couple who are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy on their own. Altruistic surrogacy is also known as non-commercial surrogacy, as it does not involve any monetary gain or compensation.
Types of Altruistic Surrogacy
There are two types of altruistic surrogacy: traditional and gestational surrogacy.
Traditional Surrogacy:
In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate mother is artificially inseminated with the sperm of the intended father or a donor. The surrogate mother is the biological mother of the child, and the intended father or the donor is the biological father. Traditional surrogacy is less common than gestational surrogacy, as it involves more emotional and legal complications.
Gestational Surrogacy:
In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate mother carries the pregnancy using an embryo created through in vitro fertilization (IVF). The embryo is created using the eggs and sperm of the intended parents or donors, and then transferred to the surrogate mother’s uterus. The surrogate mother is not biologically related to the child, and the child is genetically related to the intended parents or donors.
Pros and Cons of Altruistic Surrogacy
Pros:
Compassionate and Selfless Act: Altruistic surrogacy is a compassionate and selfless act of giving life to a couple who are unable to have children on their own.
No Financial Motivation: Altruistic surrogacy does not involve any financial gain or compensation, which eliminates any financial exploitation of the surrogate mother.
Legal Protection: Altruistic surrogacy provides legal protection to the intended parents, as the surrogate mother does not have any legal rights over the child.
Genetic Connection: In gestational surrogacy, the child is genetically related to the intended parents or donors, which provides a genetic connection to the child.
Cons:
Emotional and Psychological Challenges: Altruistic surrogacy can be emotionally and psychologically challenging for the surrogate mother, as she has to carry the child for nine months and then give the child to the intended parents.
Physical Risks: Surrogacy involves some physical risks, such as the risk of ectopic pregnancy, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and pre-eclampsia.
Legal and Ethical Issues: Altruistic surrogacy involves legal and ethical issues, such as the rights of the surrogate mother, the rights of the intended parents, and the welfare of the child.
Legal and Ethical Considerations of Altruistic Surrogacy
Altruistic surrogacy raises legal and ethical considerations, including issues such as consent, exploitation, and the surrogate’s rights. In some countries, surrogacy is illegal or highly regulated, while in others, it is allowed under specific conditions.
The legal and ethical considerations of altruistic surrogacy vary depending on the jurisdiction. For instance, in the United States, surrogacy laws vary from state to state, with some states allowing it while others prohibit it. In countries such as India and Ukraine, surrogacy was once popular, but due to concerns over exploitation, it has been banned or restricted in recent years.
One ethical concern is the potential for exploitation of the surrogate mother, particularly in commercial surrogacy. The concern is that women in low-income countries may be tempted to become surrogates due to financial incentives, leading to exploitation and abuse. Altruistic surrogacy eliminates this concern by removing the financial incentive, thereby minimizing the potential for exploitation.
Another ethical consideration is the potential for the surrogate mother to change her mind and refuse to give up the child after birth. This situation can be emotionally devastating for the intended parents and can lead to legal battles. However, legal contracts and agreements can be put in place to protect the rights of all parties involved.
Benefits of Altruistic Surrogacy
Altruistic surrogacy has several benefits, including:
1.Helps Infertile Couples: Altruistic surrogacy helps couples who cannot conceive a child on their own due to infertility, medical conditions, or other reasons.
2.Creates Strong Bonds: Surrogacy can create strong bonds between the intended parents and the surrogate mother, leading to lifelong friendships and support.
3.Provides an Alternative to Adoption: Altruistic surrogacy provides an alternative to adoption for couples who want a biological connection to their child.
4.Offers Hope for LGBT+ Couples: Surrogacy provides hope for LGBT+ couples who want to have children but cannot conceive a child on their own.
Finally, there is the risk of exploitation in the absence of a regulated framework. While altruistic surrogacy is generally viewed as a more ethical alternative to commercial surrogacy, there are still concerns about the potential for coercion or manipulation of the surrogate mother, particularly if she is financially dependent on the intended parents. Without clear legal protections and ethical guidelines, it can be difficult to ensure that the surrogate’s autonomy and well-being are adequately respected.
