01 Mar Altruistic Surrogacy: Definition, Procedures, and FAQs
Altruistic surrogacy is a type of surrogacy arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple without receiving any financial compensation. In other words, the surrogate mother volunteers her time, effort, and body to help someone else become a parent.
Altruistic surrogacy is often contrasted with commercial surrogacy, in which the surrogate mother is paid for her services. Altruistic surrogacy is typically seen as a more ethical and less exploitative form of surrogacy, as it eliminates financial incentives that could potentially lead to exploitation or coercion.
Altruistic surrogacy procedures involve several steps, including:
Finding a surrogate mother: The intended parents may find a surrogate mother through friends, family members, or surrogacy agencies.
Screening and evaluation: Both the intended parents and the surrogate mother will typically undergo a screening process to ensure that they are suitable candidates for surrogacy. This may include medical and psychological evaluations.
Legal agreements: The intended parents and the surrogate mother will need to sign a legal agreement outlining the terms of the surrogacy arrangement, including issues such as compensation for medical expenses and potential complications.
Medical procedures: The surrogate mother will undergo medical procedures to prepare her body for pregnancy, including hormone treatments and IVF (in vitro fertilization). The intended parents’ sperm and/or eggs may be used to create embryos that will be implanted in the surrogate mother’s uterus.
Pregnancy and childbirth: The surrogate mother will carry the pregnancy to term and give birth to the child. After the birth, the intended parents will take custody of the child.
Altruistic surrogacy procedures may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the surrogacy arrangement and the laws in the relevant jurisdiction. It’s important for all parties involved to seek legal and medical advice before entering into a surrogacy arrangement.
Q1. What is the difference between altruistic surrogacy and commercial surrogacy?
Altruistic surrogacy is a type of surrogacy arrangement in which the surrogate mother volunteers to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple without receiving any financial compensation. Commercial surrogacy, on the other hand, involves payment to the surrogate mother for her services.
Q2. Is altruistic surrogacy legal?
The legality of altruistic surrogacy varies by country and state. In some jurisdictions, it is fully legal and regulated, while in others it is either prohibited or only allowed under certain conditions.
Q3. Who can be a surrogate mother in an altruistic surrogacy arrangement?
In general, a surrogate mother should be a healthy woman between the ages of 21 and 45 who has already given birth to at least one child. She should also be emotionally stable and willing to undergo the medical procedures and physical demands of surrogacy.
Q4. Who can benefit from altruistic surrogacy?
Altruistic surrogacy can benefit people who are unable to conceive a child due to fertility issues, same-sex couples, or single individuals who wish to become parents.
Q5. What are the risks associated with altruistic surrogacy?
As with any pregnancy, there are risks involved in surrogacy, including complications during pregnancy and childbirth. There may also be legal and emotional risks, particularly if the surrogacy agreement is not properly drafted or if the parties have different expectations.
Q6. How much does altruistic surrogacy cost?
Altruistic surrogacy involves medical expenses related to IVF, prenatal care, and childbirth, but there is no payment to the surrogate mother. However, there may be legal fees and other costs associated with the surrogacy arrangement.
Q7. What are the ethical considerations of altruistic surrogacy?
Altruistic surrogacy is generally seen as a more ethical form of surrogacy than commercial surrogacy, as it eliminates financial incentives that could lead to exploitation or coercion. However, there are still ethical considerations related to the potential risks and emotional impact on all parties involved. It’s important for all parties to carefully consider the ethical implications of surrogacy before entering into an arrangement.
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