Surrogacy, what is it?

 

The Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority (HFEA) is the UK's independent regulator overseeing the use of gametes and embryos in fertility treatment and research.

 

     Surrogacy is when another woman carries and gives birth to a baby for the couple who want to have a child. The HFEA does not regulate surrogacy. They recommend that you should seek legal advice before proceeding with this option. People who want to be parents may go abroad if their home country does not allow surrogacy, or if they cannot find a surrogate.

However, even here, the laws may vary. For example, some Australian states have criminalised going to another country for commercial surrogacy, while others permit it.

 

     It varies from country to country. Countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Bulgaria prohibit all forms of surrogacy. In countries including the UK, Ireland, Denmark and Belgium, surrogacy is allowed where the surrogate mother is not paid, or only paid for reasonable expenses. Paying the mother a fee (known as commercial surrogacy) is prohibited.

 

     Commercial surrogacy is legal in some US states, and countries including India, Russia and Ukraine. Mexico, Nepal, Poland and Georgia are also among the countries described as possibilities for surrogacy arrangements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, S. and I. D. (n.d.). Surrogacy - How does surrogacy work? Retrieved April 3, 2015, fromhttp://www.hfea.gov.uk/fertility-treatment-options-surrogacy.html

 

News, H. C. B. (n.d.). Surrogate babies: Where can you have them, and is it legal? Retrieved April 3, 2015, fromhttp://www.bbc.com/news/world-28679020