Surrogatskap

Surrogatskap, or surrogacy, is a reproductive arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry a pregnancy for another person or couple who will become the child’s legal parents after birth. Surrogacy can be traditional, using the surrogate’s own egg, or gestational, with an embryo created from the intended parents’ gametes (or donor gametes) implanted in the surrogate. In traditional surrogacy, the child may be genetically related to the surrogate; in gestational surrogacy there is no genetic link to the surrogate.

The legal status and regulation of surrogacy vary widely. Some jurisdictions prohibit the practice, others allow altruistic surrogacy only, and some permit commercial surrogacy under strict rules. In many places, parental rights must be established through courts or official registrations, and cross-border arrangements can raise issues related to citizenship, inheritance, and guardianship.

The process typically involves assisted reproduction techniques such as in vitro fertilization to create embryos, which are then transferred to the surrogate. Legal contracts may outline compensation, medical expenses, and the duties of all parties, though enforceability varies by jurisdiction. Costs are high and commonly include medical procedures, legal fees, surrogate compensation (where permitted), and pregnancy-related care.

Ethical and social debates focus on the surrogate’s autonomy and informed consent, potential exploitation or coercion, the moral status of the surrogate–child relationship, and the welfare of the child. Cross-border surrogacy amplifies concerns about protections, rights, and equity for all parties involved.

Outcomes depend on factors such as the age and health of gamete providers and clinic quality, with success rates varying by case and location. Surrogatskap remains a complex option, reflecting diverse legal, ethical, and medical considerations.