Ethical considerations on surrogacy

Abstract

Surrogacy is the assisted reproductive technology (ART) practice in which a person becomes pregnant, carries, and delivers a child on behalf of another couple/person, who are the intended parent(s). Surrogacy is an especially complex practice as the interests of the intended parents, the gestational carrier, and the future child may differ. This paper considers ethical questions related to different forms of surrogacy. It concludes that non-commercial surrogacy is an acceptable method of assisted reproduction for specific indications. When using surrogacy to form a family, it is essential that there are measures to protect all parties, to guarantee well-considered decision-making, and to minimize risks. The current paper formulates recommendations to promote these measures. This paper is an update to the ESHRE Task Force Ethics and Law Paper 10: Surrogacy and replaces this paper.