To think that going abroad for surrogacy should be far more controlled

[ReallyTired]

This couple are planning to bring back FOUR babies from India.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24670212

No one in the right mind diliberately choose to have quads. I feel that the family have not thought through the logistics of bringing up four babies. I feel shocked at the utter contempt the wife has for her two surrogate.

There are laws to prevent unsuitable people adopting from abroad and I feel that there should be laws to prevent unsuitable people using surrogates to get hold of a baby/babies.

[Bogeyface]

I dont think that is a bad comparison at all. The men you mention are using women (and children) and dont give a seconds thought about them. The couple in this case, at least according to their quotes, are using these women and dont give a toss about them as long as they get their babies.

The fact that money changes hands doesnt make any of it acceptable.

[2468Motorway]

Well not within the strict definition of epigenetic effects. But environment will effect those embryos so to show so little interest or compassion for the women carrying their children is shortsighted and horrible.

[Bogeyface]

“You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.”
? William Wilberforce

“You can't hold a man down without staying down with him.”
? Booker T. Washington

[candlelight2012]

Also looking at surrogacy in India might also be the way forward

Two opposites, one have rights , one don't

How anyone can say a women who has carried and nutured a child has no connection to her must be a bit deluded.

[SeaSickSal]

I think there is a bit of a moral panic about surrogates abroad. They know what they are getting into and in a lot of these cases they could never dream of getting this amount of money afterwards. It lifts their families out of poverty. I think it's rather patronizing to think just because they are 'forrin' they can't make an informed choice they want do with their own bodies.

[hettienne]

Surely you can make the same argument about prostitution or selling kidneys?

[candlelight2012]

There have been well documented arguments by 'forrin' people stating some are co-erced into it and used the same way some pedigree dogs are here , churning out babies with no regard to their well being

[Grennie]

And desperately poor women w ill "choose" to do things to feed their existing children. It does not make it right to exploit their financial need.

[candlelight2012]

exactly grennie which should ring alarm bells for people considering undertaking this.

If it's not legal or available in your own country, the Uk , there is probably a good reason for that , one you should consider before engaging in a rent a womb , and regarding the women who helps you as a 'person hired to do a job'

[SomethingOnce]

I think it's rather patronizing to think just because they are 'forrin'...

It's not because they are 'forrin' (annoying MN shorthand usually used to imply there's some sort of racism or similar afoot), it's because when people are in dire poverty, as you say, it's easy to pay them to do things that may be hugely risky, which they wouldn't so readily consider were there economic parity.

How many of these surrogates are highly educated and middle class, do you think?

[caruthers]

Total disrespect for the surrogates.

This prospective mother sounds disgusting.

[Bogeyface]

They know what they are getting into

No. Many of them dont understand the risks involved because they are under educated. As Something said, how many are middle class and educated? None, because those women are not that desperate.

and in a lot of these cases they could never dream of getting this amount of money afterwards.

That doesnt make it right. It doesnt mean that just because Jane and Johnny Westerner waves a chequebook at them that they should sign away the rights to their own bodies.

[Grennie]

We already legislate on what our citizens can do abroad. And remember, these children come back to the UK. We could legislate on citizenship requirements for children created through surrogacy enforcing the need for evidence that basic standards have been met.

[SomethingOnce]

It's important to bear In mind that the couple's quotes may have been distorted in the reporting.

But still, the issues about international surrogacy between wealthy countries and ones with such poverty stand.

As an aside, I wonder how this couple imagine that they can remain anonymous - it will be fairly obvious when they suddenly have four babies appear out of nowhere! Perhaps they are planning to relocate around the time of the birth...

[Grennie]

There is a reason surrogacy to make money is illegal in the UK. We recognise the inherently exploitative nature of it.

[Grennie]

And if women who are being surrogates get long term birth injuries or health problems, they are stuck with these, without any additional compensation.

[CheerfulYank]

I wonder what the laws are here in the US...I don't think the surrogate has the right to keep the child but I could be wrong.

I do know that interestingly a lot of army wives are surrogates.

[Grennie]

No in the US, at least in some states, the woman who is acting as a surrogate does not have the right to keep the child. I think that is wrong. Until you actually give birth to the child, you don't know how you will feel.

[Bogeyface]

There was a celebrated case in the US that led to a change in law, Baby M? I remember that the child stayed with the birth mother but the biological parents got access. Her name was Melissa.

[Bogeyface]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_M

Sorry I got it wrong, the bological father got custody.

[Grennie]

I didn't know that.

[Bogeyface]

It was about 85/86 so was a precedent