Ethics of Surrogacy.docx

Ethics of Surrogacy Alivia Lombardi, Sophia Otterstedt, Ornella Shaikovsky Toronto Metropolitan University PHL 509 011 Christine Houston October 30, 2023

Appendix Introduction and Claim 2 (Ethics of finance) …..Sophia Otterstedt Claim 1 (Duties of Surrogacy) and Counterargument…..Alivia Lombradi Claim 3 (Rights of the Child) and Conclusion…..Ornella Shaikovsky

Surrogacy can be a beneficial process for couples unable to conceive for many different reasons. The most common methods of surrogacy are gestational and traditional. Traditionally, a surrogate’s egg is fertilized through intrauterine insemination or in vitro from a commissioning parent.[Reilly, D. R. (2007, February 13)] However, the gestational technique became more popular with increasing medical advances. Here, the intended parents create an embryo by donating their or another’s egg or sperm.[Reilly, D. R. (2007, February 13)] In either method, the commissioning parents will hold some genetic link to their future offspring. Even the language itself implies a disregard for the surrogate. Surrogacy, by definition, implies a replacement, a substitute, or even a proxy. Surrogates are essentially considered the backup parent. Even though the surrogate is expected to conceive and carry the fetus to term, surrendering their body to create life on behalf of another couple. To further their disregard, they are considered the replacement parent until the delivery. The commissioning parents will now be considered the social, legal, and, most importantly, the “real” parent. This is why we feel it is essential to include a feminist perspective. Feminism includes a stronger focus on fairness, equity, and justice, especially concerning vulnerable groups who can become involved in surrogacy. Therefore, using feminist philosophy, we should emphasize more substantial moral duties and responsibilities of the surrogates, commissioning couples, and the future offspring. Duties of surrogacy refer to the ethical, legal, and social responsibilities or obligations that various parties involved in surrogacy arrangements have toward one another. These duties help ensure that the surrogacy process is conducted ethically and that the rights and well-being of all parties are protected. All parties should provide their informed consent, fully understanding the surrogacy process, the legal implications, and the potential emotional and physical risks involved. Well, being a surrogate, they have a duty to adhere to medical guidelines, attend

prenatal appointments, and follow the healthcare plan to ensure the health and well-being of the unborn child. Surrogates and intended parents should disclose relevant medical information and personal histories to ensure the best possible outcomes. “The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms provides all women (pregnant or not) with the right to integrity of both body and mind and the right to the autonomy to make personal decisions.”(Reilly, D. R. [2007, February 13]) All parties have a duty to treat each other with respect, honest communication, dignity, and empathy. This includes recognizing and respecting the surrogate's bodily autonomy, and the intended parents' emotional investment. This can be a sensitive and emotional journey for all involved. The intended parents have the duty to accept and assume parental responsibility for the child upon birth, as agreed upon in the surrogacy contract. A feminist perspective may emphasize the importance of individual choice and agency. Women who become surrogates make autonomous decisions about their bodies and reproductive capacities. Proponents assert that women who choose to become surrogates should be respected for their agency in making decisions about their own bodies. They argue that it is essential to avoid paternalistic attitudes that may assume that surrogates are being exploited or coerced. In a commercial surrogacy arrangement, the surrogate is compensated for her services, which can provide women with economic opportunities, allowing them to support their families and gain financial independence. In this view, surrogacy can be seen as a form of labor, and surrogates are entitled to fair compensation. Even though commercial surrogacy is illegal in Canda, it is important to consider the price of commercial and altruistic surrogacy.[Reilly, D. R. (2007, February 13)] Pregnancy can be a very physically demanding process on the body and a gestational surrogate may bond with the fetus. Surrogacy is such an invaluable service, we must ask ourselves how can we determine

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