I thought it was very good. Julie Bindel was excellent and did a great job calling out the fluffy Hallmark card version of surrogacy being promoted by that 'Brilliant Beginnings' lady. Also, I liked that it was explained that 'not for profit' organisations are often no such thing. Many people don't know that - I certainly didn't until I read about it right here!
Julie Bindel is on from 29:50, debating with Natalie Gamble who charges infertile couples £15k each, pays herself handsomely then claims to be 'not for profit'. So that's nice
Even the "poster family" for surrogacy made me feel a bit uneasy.
Yes, the couple seemed nice, the birth mother seemed well-informed and remained a part of the life of the girls she gave birth to but when the couple said that there was no way they ever entertained the thought that they might not have children (even after several miscarriages) it kind of made me wonder what lengths they could go to to get their wish. If they hadn't been able to find an 'altruistic' surrogate in Britain, would they have gone abroad to buy a baby in country with more 'liberal' surrogacy laws?
I suppose what I'm saying is this idea that you must have your 'own' babies at any cost is a major part of the problem.
Just want to give a shout out to a certain Mumsnetter who submitted the FOI to the Law Commissioners to look at which organisations and individuals they met with at the beginning of the consultation process. Women's groups were notably absent. People like Natalie Gamble and her Brilliant Beginnings called the shots. The researcher for the Victoria Derbyshire show happened upon that FOI and they made good use of it in the show.
Wasnt at all surprised to see so many names on the list that actively benefit from surrogacy. And even less surprising to see no womens groups. Same thing every time isnt it.
It was all another " it will never happen" discussion.
But the video clip already featured someone who was an example of what can go wrong.
How she can sit there and take 15 grand a time and visibly ignore all the points made and carry on quoting the party line I dont know.
Surely she should have been able to say what they learnt from each case that was not a positive outcome and what steps that pushed them to take. Rather than just pretend it doesnt happen
I'm.not quite sure what the dr added to the discussion tbh. It almost seemed as if she suddenly realised Julie had a point and struggled to know what to say and believe it herself after that.
Julie certainly made me think. She seems the only one brave enough to talk about the bad side. Made everyone going on about informed consent look ridiculous as they wouldnt acknowledge the risks at all. It's not informed then is it
And yes I can see how "earning" 55 thousand dollars would be appealing. I'd never looked at it in terms of hourly rate though. I guess with all the meeting up and fertility drug taning and harvesting and all the time that stuff would take it really isnt that much. so thank you julie for that. Real eye opener.
Something from the archives to reflect upon how the friendship with the surrogate mother broke down very soon after the birth, and also to compare to where this family are now
