Outsourcing babies to India

Morrigoon · 12-11-2007, 06:37 PM

Interesting article.

Basically, it's talking about a fertility/surrogacy clinic in some rural town in India. Would-be parents from other places in the world are going there because it's like $12,000 to have a baby instead of (as in the US) $70,000. The local women make 5 grand to act as surrogates, which amounts to several years' income in their normal jobs.

I thought it would be a good topic of discussion.

Personally, I think it's great. The poor women have a chance to make some real money, and the infertile women get a baby. Technically, when you compare the surrogate fee to their income from their normal jobs, the women in India are making out better than American surrogates. I'm sure there will be some who still think they're being taken advantage of, but from my perspective it looks like a mutuall beneficial arrangement.

lashbear · 12-11-2007, 07:17 PM

as long as they don't call me at mealtimes, I'm fine.

Alex · 12-11-2007, 08:04 PM

They are being taken advantage of in that the choice is this or nothing. That is a form of financial blackmail. If given the choice between this and something that paid even a significant fraction I wonder how many would choose it.

That said, "taking advantage of" is fine by me so long as everybody is fully aware of the risks, is entering into it without threat of violence or serious negative repercussions should they refuse, and the surrogates aren't left to fend for themselves if things go wrong.

BarTopDancer · 12-11-2007, 09:38 PM

Ethics aside, I wonder about the quality of medical care and handling of international legal issues that may arise if she wants to keep the baby in the end (you do hear about that here on occasion).

tracilicious · 12-11-2007, 10:17 PM

From what I've heard, India has pretty decent medical care.

Alex · 12-11-2007, 10:49 PM

Depends on where you are quite a bit according to my coworkers. That said, since Westerners are paying for it all, I'd guess that pre-natal care, at least, is top notch.

12-11-2007, 06:37 PM	#1
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	Outsourcing babies to India Interesting article. Basically, it's talking about a fertility/surrogacy clinic in some rural town in India. Would-be parents from other places in the world are going there because it's like $12,000 to have a baby instead of (as in the US) $70,000. The local women make 5 grand to act as surrogates, which amounts to several years' income in their normal jobs. I thought it would be a good topic of discussion. Personally, I think it's great. The poor women have a chance to make some real money, and the infertile women get a baby. Technically, when you compare the surrogate fee to their income from their normal jobs, the women in India are making out better than American surrogates. I'm sure there will be some who still think they're being taken advantage of, but from my perspective it looks like a mutuall beneficial arrangement. __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
	Submit to Quotes

12-11-2007, 07:17 PM	#2
lashbear SwishBuckling Bear Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In Isolation :) Posts: 6,597	as long as they don't call me at mealtimes, I'm fine. __________________ *I Heart* my Husband - I can't think of anyone I'd rather be in isolation with.**
	Submit to Quotes

12-11-2007, 08:04 PM	#3
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	They are being taken advantage of in that the choice is this or nothing. That is a form of financial blackmail. If given the choice between this and something that paid even a significant fraction I wonder how many would choose it. That said, "taking advantage of" is fine by me so long as everybody is fully aware of the risks, is entering into it without threat of violence or serious negative repercussions should they refuse, and the surrogates aren't left to fend for themselves if things go wrong.
	Submit to Quotes

12-11-2007, 09:38 PM	#4
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	Ethics aside, I wonder about the quality of medical care and handling of international legal issues that may arise if she wants to keep the baby in the end (you do hear about that here on occasion). __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
	Submit to Quotes

12-11-2007, 10:17 PM	#5
tracilicious avatar transition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in-between Posts: 2,487	From what I've heard, India has pretty decent medical care. __________________ And now Harry, let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure! - Albus Dumbledore
	Submit to Quotes

12-11-2007, 10:49 PM	#6
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Depends on where you are quite a bit according to my coworkers. That said, since Westerners are paying for it all, I'd guess that pre-natal care, at least, is top notch.
	Submit to Quotes