Surrogacy
Author: Dianne Post
The article critically examines the surrogacy industry, highlighting its severe ethical, legal, and human rights issues. It describes surrogacy as a practice fraught with exploitation, abuse, and the commodification of women and children, particularly impacting impoverished women in countries like India and Nepal. These women often face coercion, forced medical procedures, and the risk of not being paid if the child is not deemed ‘perfect’ by the commissioning parents, leading to situations where children can end up stateless or abandoned.
The piece points out the legal and linguistic complexities surrounding surrogacy, including the redefinition of motherhood and the problematic use of the term “donor” for individuals who are paid for their biological contributions. It criticizes the commercial nature of surrogacy, where monetary transactions are disguised as altruistic acts, and the reduction of pregnancy to a contractual agreement, arguing that this undermines consent, medical ethics, and the dignity of women and children.
Surrogacy is depicted as a violation of human rights, treating women and children as commodities rather than beings with inherent dignity. The article also touches on the international human rights perspective, condemning surrogacy for perpetuating racism, sexism, and colonialism, with a call to action for the global community to reject surrogacy as a practice that fundamentally breaches human rights principles.AA
Full Article: Surrogacy