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IVF and Surrogacy: Law and Ethics for a New Generation

Legal and Ethical Issues Surrounding In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogacy

By Animated affectionPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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IVF and Surrogacy: Law and Ethics for a New Generation
Photo by Deon Black on Unsplash

Surrogate pregnancy is not only fascinating, but also one of the most complex procedures in human reproduction. It is a practice that many individuals are not familiar with and is largely misunderstood by a large number of people. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy are two of the most controversial fertility treatments available today. While IVF is legal in most countries, surrogacy is often regulated or outright banned. The ethical and legal issues surrounding these two procedures are complex and sensitive, and there is no easy answer as to whether or not they should be allowed.

On one hand, IVF and surrogacy give hope to couples who are struggling to conceive a child. For many, these procedures are the only way to have a biological child. On the other hand, these procedures can be expensive and emotionally difficult, and they raise several ethical concerns. This article aims to clarify some ethical and legal aspects of surrogate pregnancy.

Content outline:

Section: What is In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogacy?

Section: Complications related to surrogate pregnancy

Section: The legal issues surrounding In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogacy

Section: The Ethical issues surrounding In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogacy

Section: Conclusion

What is In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogacy?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that involves retrieving eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then implanted into the woman’s uterus, where they hopefully will implant and develop into a healthy pregnancy. IVF is often used when couples are struggling to conceive due to infertility problems.

Surrogate pregnancy is a procedure in which an individual provides the uterus and other reproductive organs for carrying another person’s fetus. It is mostly used as a treatment option for individuals who are unable to conceive naturally or by any other means. A woman may choose to become a surrogate mother if she has already had children or if she wants to help another couple start their family. Surrogate mothers are not required to be related to the person who will be carrying their child, nor do they need to have any previous experience of being pregnant themselves.

The process begins with in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is when an egg is fertilized by sperm outside of a woman’s body (in a laboratory dish). This is then implanted into the surrogate mother who carries the baby full-term until birth.Section:

Complications Related surrogate pregnancy

One of the biggest risks with a surrogate pregnancy is that of premature birth. This is because the surrogate mother is carrying a baby that is not her own, and her body may not be as well-suited to carrying the pregnancy to full term. Additionally, the surrogate mother may have a higher risk of complications such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.

Another potential complication is that of emotional difficulties. The surrogate mother may feel a great deal of emotional attachment to the baby she is carrying, and may find it difficult to hand the baby over to the intended parents after birth. Additionally, the intended parents may feel a sense of loss or grief if something goes wrong with the pregnancy or the baby is born with a health condition.

It is important to discuss all of the potential risks and complications of a surrogate pregnancy with both the surrogate mother and the intended parents before proceeding. By doing so, everyone involved will be aware of the risks and can make an informed decision about whether or not a surrogate pregnancy is right for them.

The legal issues surrounding In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogacy

Surrogacy pregnancy

There are several legal issues surrounding IVF and surrogacy. One of the most controversial issues is who should have legal rights to any leftover embryos after the IVF procedure is complete. In many cases, couples who have undergone IVF will have leftover embryos that were not used in the implantation process. These embryos may be stored for future use, donated to another couple or person undergoing IVF, or destroyed. The decision of what to do with leftover embryos can be a difficult one, and there is no easy answer as to what should happen to them.

Another legal issue surrounding IVF and surrogacy is what should happen if the surrogate mother decides she wants to keep the baby. In most cases, the surrogate mother has no legal rights to the child she is carrying, but there have been some instances where courts have sided with the surrogate mother and awarded her custody of the child. This is a rare occurrence, but it highlights the complex legal issues involved in surrogacy arrangements.

Finally,there are a number of legal issues surrounding In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy. These include issues such as who has legal custody of the child, what rights the surrogate mother has, and what happens if the child is born with disabilities. IVF and surrogacy are also regulated by a number of different laws, which can vary from country to country. This can make it difficult for couples who wish to use IVF or surrogacy to know what their rights are, and what they need to do in order to comply with the law.

The Ethical issues surrounding In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogacy

There are a number of ethical issues associated with surrogacy. First, there is the question of whether it is morally permissible to use another woman's body to carry and give birth to a child. Some people argue that this is a violation of the woman's autonomy and her right to control her own body. Others argue that surrogacy is a voluntary agreement between two parties and that as long as the surrogate is fully informed of the risks and rewards involved, there is no ethical problem

secondly,there are also several ethical issues surrounding IVF and surrogacy. One of the most controversial ethical issues is whether or not it is morally wrong to create “designer babies”. This is when parents use IVF to select specific characteristics for their child, such as eye color or gender. Some people argue that this is morally wrong because it plays with nature, while others argue that it is no different than parents who choose to conceive a child naturally and then abort it if it is not the desired gender.

Another ethical issue is the question of what happens to the child if the surrogate mother is unable to carry the child to term or if the child is born with some sort of health problem. Some people argue that the child should be returned to the biological parents, while others argue that the child should remain with the surrogate mother.

Finally,ethical issue surrounding IVF and surrogacy is whether or not surrogates should be compensated for their services. In most cases, surrogates are paid for their services, but some argue that this is unethical because it exploits women who may be desperate for money. Some argue that surrogates should not be paid because they are providing a valuable service by carrying and giving birth to a child for someone else. The debate over whether or not surrogates should be compensated highlights the complex ethical issues involved in this procedure.

Conclusion

Overall, surrogate pregnancy is a highly emotional and complex issue. There are many factors to consider before making the decision to become a surrogate, as well as many potential risks and rewards. Ultimately, it is a decision that should be made with the guidance of a qualified medical professional and with the support of close family and friends.

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About the Creator

Animated affection

A storyteller fueled by passion, here you'll discover my voice breathing life into both fiction and non-fiction tales. Each narrative is animated with a rare affection.

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  • Amanda Lawranceabout a year ago

    The law of reproduction https://anastasiaherman.com/ is a rapidly developing and changing field, which means that fertility lawyers need to be up-to-date on the latest developments in this field. This means keeping up with technological advances in the field and current legislative debates.

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