This article explores the complex ethical considerations surrounding surrogacy, examining the potential for exploitation, power imbalances, and health risks associated with this practice.
The decision of a woman to undergo a hysterectomy due to severe menstrual pain, experienced 24 to 48 hours before and lasting 48 hours after her period, is understandable. However, her sister's insistence that she become a surrogate mother, despite her medical condition, raises serious ethical concerns. Dr. Rebecca Steinfeld, a campaigner and researcher focusing on reproductive rights , civil partnerships, and genital cutting, acknowledges the polarizing nature of surrogacy.
While some view it as altruistic, with a woman selflessly fulfilling the dreams of others by carrying their child, she cautions that it is not a simple issue. Others see surrogacy as inherently exploitative, arguing that it commodifies children and reduces disadvantaged women to 'breeders.' Comparisons are even made to prostitution, with some advocating for the term 'womb rental.' Dr. Steinfeld highlights several critical issues within this debate. These include potential power imbalances between surrogate mothers and intended parents, the inherent risks of pregnancy and childbirth taken on by the surrogate, and concerns about care received during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Even in situations where a sister carries a baby for her sibling, Dr. Steinfeld believes power imbalances and inequalities may still exist. She emphasizes that all pregnancies carry physical and mental health risks for the pregnant woman, ranging from mild to severe, and these risks may be even higher for surrogates. The surrogate often endures numerous appointments, drug treatments, invasive procedures, and timed embryo transfer, along with a significantly increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia, especially in twin pregnancies
Ethics Surrogacy Ethical Considerations Reproductive Rights Power Imbalances Health Risks
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