SOC 573 Surrogate Mothers

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SOC 573 Surrogate Mothers

• James G. Anderson, Ph.D.

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Issues

• Are children mere goods in a commercial
  transaction?
• Should remuneration be allowed?
• Under what conditions can the contract be voided?
• Who should control the conduct of the surrogate
  during pregnancy?

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Issues

• Does surrogacy weaken the child-parent bond? The
  family structure?
• Who is the legal mother of the child?
  (Traditionally the woman who gives birth)
• Should surrogacy be utilized only by infertile
  couples?
• Should surrogacy be utilized only by married
  couples?

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Current Regulation

• 13 states prohibit commercial surrogate
  arrangements
• 5 states prohibit surrogacy on the basis of
  existing statutes
• 4 states legalize noncommercial surrogacy