Surrogacy

[blueerica]

I don't know if the topic belongs here. If at any point, anyone deems it necessary to move, then please do - my feelings will be far from hurt.

I'm preparing a presentation on surrogacy and it didn't occur to me until now that there might be a wealth of experience, information and considerations right here. My topics are the ethical implications and legal aspects of surrogacy, in the United States and worldwide.

There seems to be a lot of ambiguity on the subject of surrogacy. Few places seem to have definitive laws on the subject and in the U.S., it varies from state to state. New York bans all surrogate contracts, and though California has no law on it, it apparently has a lassaiz-faire attitude on the whole topic, and is known for a new wave of "fertility vacations." Most states fall somewhere in between. Abroad, citizenship issues abound for those who have a surrogate mother giving birth elsewhere, and other countries make it so that there is an adoption process involved. In Canada, it is illegal to compensate egg donors - or more clearly, it's not illegal to sell eggs, but it's illegal to buy them - making it difficult for male homosexual couples to find an optimal surrogate situation.

And since we have an Aussie among us (though I'm not even sure he'd read this), Australia's laws on the subject vary wildly. Most states in Oz have surrogacy illegal to varying degrees, while some have no laws and apparently it is legal. Mainly, the variances in law have to do with a number of ethical issues surrounding surrogacy involving "intended parents" changing their minds, surrogate mothers changing their minds, and whether payment constitutes a "reproductive prostitution."

All of this comes from the mostly cold documents I've read. Though there are a number of sites soaked with tears and love, I'm hesitant to read too much into it, as they're often more cutesy and less factual.

So, yeah, like I said - all of this has me wondering what LoT-ers might have to say on the subject. After the discussion on abortion, I have been reminded once more that our experiences, origins and lifestyles really give a unique perspective to just about any topic, and I'd much like to hear what you guys have to say... if there's anything to say at all.

Do you think surrogacy, sperm and egg donorship are ethical? Unethical? Do you even know much about the topic? Do you know someone who has gone through it?