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. 2019 Feb;86(1):56-67.
doi: 10.1177/0024363919830840. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

Gestational Surrogacy: Current View

Justo Aznar  1 , Miriam Martínez Peris  2
Affiliations

Gestational Surrogacy: Current View

Justo Aznar et al. Linacre Q. 2019 Feb.

Abstract

Surrogate motherhood is an assisted procreation practice by which a woman gestates an embryo with which she has no biological relationship on behalf of a contracting couple or individual, having to relinquish the child to them after its birth. This practice normally entails a financial remuneration for the pregnant woman; when this is not the case, it is called altruistic surrogacy. From a medical perspective, potential problems for the surrogate and for children born through this practice should be taken into account, especially the existence of possible disabilities in the child. The bioethical aspects are of most interest because the practice of surrogacy objectifies the expectant mother, by using her body for a purpose other than her own good, treating her as a commodity, as a thing. The same is true for the child because it makes him a disposable object, something that can be instrumentalized, similarly objectifying him.

Keywords: Altruistic surrogacy; Surrogacy; Surrogacy ethical aspects; Surrogacy medical aspects; Surrogate motherhood.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

References

    1. Aceprensa. 2015. “Tailandia prohibe la maternidad subrogada por dinero.” Aceprensa.
    1. Aceprensa. 2016. “India prohibirá los “vientres de alquiler” para extranjeros.” Aceprensa.
    1. ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) Committee Opinion. 1992. “Ethical Issues in Surrogate Motherhood.” International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 37: 139–44.
    1. Aznar J, Martínez-Peris M, Navarro-Illana P. 2017. “Moral Assessment of Frozen Human Embryo Adoption in the Light of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.” Acta Bioethica 23: 137–49.
    1. Aznar J., Minguez J. A. 2012. “Loss of Human Embryos Secondary to in Vitro Fertilization.” Medicina e Morale 4: 613–16.

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