Reem Alsalem of the UN publishes report on surrogacy harms

'Demand is also shaped by the largely positive coverage of surrogacy in the
media65 and its visibility among celebrities, 66 as well as broader social narratives framing the desire for a child as a legitimate dimension of the right to family life, including for men in same-sex relationships'

'surrogacy entails the direct and exploitative use of a woman’s bodily and reproductive functions for the benefit of others, .. often resulting in long-lasting harm and in exploitative circumstances'

Risks to the child/baby:

'Individuals with disrupted development of secure attachment are at higher risk of developing mental disorders.45 In some cases, the transfer of a child is also delayed or complicated by legal uncertainties surrounding the recognition of parentage, nationality or identity, leaving the child in limbo'

Studies indicate that children born through surrogacy have lower mean
gestational age at delivery, higher rates of preterm birth and higher rates of low birth weight.47 Assisted reproductive technology and multifetal pregnancy have reportedly been associated with an increased risk of birth defects. 48 Breastfeeding, which is prevented in surrogacy and even contractually prohibited, 49 is essential to an infant’s healthy development...the lack of a gestational connection places them at increased psychological risk'

'Recruitment is commonly driven by online advertisement that frames egg
donation as both altruistic and financially rewarding while omitting vital information about the discomfort of daily hormonal injections and harmful side effects and risks, such as anaesthesia complications, 38 ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome 39 or the emotional complexities of giving up one’s genetic child. 40 Women report the absence of health services after the donation. 41 Many, particularly girls, are groomed to register as egg donors to test their tolerance for medical procedures before entering a surrogacy arrangement'

'Women and girls who donate their eggs for surrogacy often come from
backgrounds marked by economic vulnerability. They are typically young adults who may view egg donation as a means to meet their financial needs. 35 Agencies tend to prefer women with specific characteristics, which they promise to commissioning parents.36 The demand is frequently shaped by racist and postcolonial stereotypes, as young, white, Western women with higher education receive up to 100 times more for their egg cells than others'

'Commissioning mothers are generally from higher socioeconomic backgrounds
than most surrogate mothers.31 However, their experience is also frequently marked by uncertainty and emotional strain. Many commissioning mothers report anxiety regarding the outcome of the pregnancy, the nature of their relationship with the surrogate, societal stigma, legal complexities and the financial burdens involved.32
Particularly in cross-border arrangements, they may fall victim to fraudulent practices by surrogacy agencies, resulting in substantial financial losses. 33 Some may feel exhausted by the prolonged attempts to have a child. In certain cultural contexts, infertile commissioning mothers experience additional external pressure and stigma related to expectations of fulfilling what are perceived as their primary social roles'

'Globally, most surrogate mothers come from lower-income backgrounds and
have less social status compared with the commissioning parents. 27 Many lack access to effective legal remedies or advocacy mechanisms.28 Reportedly, migrant women are either specifically targeted for surrogacy or transferred to other countries for the purpose of impregnation29 and childbirth, often to circumvent legal frameworks'

'The practice of surrogacy is on the rise worldwide, with a significant and
growing proportion of arrangements involving cross-border dynamics: intended
parents, often from wealthier countries, engage surrogates in jurisdictions where the practice is legally permitted.

...In 2023, the global surrogacy market was valued at $14.95 billion and is projected to reach $99.75 billion by 2033.11 Frequently, surrogate mothers receive only a small fraction of the overall compensation, with the majority of the payment going to intermediaries.12 Surrogates have reportedly received as little as 10–27.5 per cent of the total payment'