Surrogacy is a process where a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another individual or couple who wants to become parents but cannot do so due to medical reasons or infertility. Surrogacy has gained popularity in recent years as an alternative means of having children for many people.
When it comes to same-sex couples and transgender individuals, surrogacy raises several moral, social, and legal considerations that need to be addressed.
Moral Consideration
One of the most significant moral considerations is the potential impact on the child's wellbeing. Children born through surrogacy may experience psychological distress if they learn later in life that their biological mother gave them up for adoption.
There are concerns about whether the parents will provide adequate support and guidance to their children, especially when the surrogate mother becomes involved in their lives. Another concern is the possibility of exploitation, whereby women from low-income countries are paid to carry babies for wealthy individuals from developed countries without their consent. This can lead to emotional trauma and long-term health issues for the surrogates.
Social Consideration
Society also plays a role in how LGBTQ individuals pursue parenthood through surrogacy. In some cultures and religions, having children outside of marriage or raising them in a non-traditional family unit is frowned upon. Some religious groups have even gone as far as denying access to churches or other public spaces for such families.
Some countries ban same-sex relationships entirely, making it impossible for LGBTQ individuals to pursue surrogacy legally. It is also challenging for such individuals to obtain insurance coverage for pregnancy-related expenses.
Legal Consideration
Surrogacy laws vary from country to country, with some allowing commercial surrogacy while others prohibit it altogether.
India has strict laws governing surrogacy, requiring only heterosexual couples who cannot conceive naturally to use a surrogate.
This law does not apply to single men or women who want to become parents. Surrogacy is legal in Canada but requires extensive screening processes and regulations that may be difficult for transgender people to meet.
There are moral, social, and legal considerations when LGBTQ individuals pursue parenthood through surrogacy. While this method provides an opportunity for those who would otherwise struggle to have children, it raises several ethical concerns that need to be addressed. Society needs to embrace different family units and ensure they receive equal treatment regardless of their sexual orientation. The government must also create policies that protect the rights of all parties involved in surrogacy, including the surrogates, intended parents, and the children themselves.
What moral, social, and legal considerations arise when LGBTQ individuals pursue parenthood through surrogacy?
The decision of having children can be a complex and personal choice for any individual. For members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community, this choice may be even more complicated as they face unique challenges related to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Surrogacy is one way that some LGBTQ people choose to become parents, but it brings with it several moral, social, and legal implications that should be carefully considered.