Definition of Surrogacy
Surrogacy is defined as the act of being a substitute but it almost always is used to refer to the act of carrying a child in the womb for a couple or individual who can not successful have a biological child. Surrogate mothers have grown in popularity and commonality significantly since the introduction of advanced fertility technology and treatments.
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Definitions
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A surrogate is an individual who carries a fetus to term with the sole intention of relinquishing rights to the child following its birth. Surrogate mothers are referenced in early historical works; however, the term "surrogacy," in its legal definition, was not coined until 1981 when artificial insemination technology made it possible for a woman to carry a baby that is wholly biologically unrelated to her.
Types of Surrogates
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Traditional surrogates are women who carry their own fetus to term with the intention of handing the child over to another party at birth. In a traditional surrogacy situation, the surrogate's egg and womb are used. Gestational surrogates are impregnated with a fertilized embryo that bares no biological relationship. A commercial surrogate is a woman who is a surrogate for monetary gain. She carries a child for a couple who is unable to become pregnant with the sole intention of receiving monetary compensation.
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Popularity
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Surrogacy has grown steadily in popularity over the last 20 years. Better technology and medical care has made the process relatively risk free and offers a very high success rate. Surrogacy has increased in practice in some developing nations such as India.
Uses
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Surrogates are used for a number of different reasons; however, in almost all cases, couples seek out a surrogate because they are unable to become pregnant on their own or a woman is unable to carry a child to term. Committed gay couples who wish to have a child also use surrogates for the sole purpose of carrying an embryo that has been fertilized with one partner's sperm. Surrogates are also used when the medical complications associated with pregnancy pose a serious risk to the woman who wishes to be a mother.
Ethical Debate
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Surrogacy, as a profession, has been greatly debated as a significant ethical issues. Opponents of surrogacy believe that "commercial surrogacy," which has become popular in developing nations, is harmful to the women and places potential surrogates at a significant health risk. Proponents of the practice believe that the commercial surrogacy gives many individuals in developing nations options for money and opens up access to good medical care during their pregnancy, lowering the health risks.
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