Question

The Beall Family: Crissy and John Beall are a childless couple who thought they could have a genetic child until they heard about surrogate motherhood. Mrs. Crissy Beall was diagnosed with Cancer of the uterus while in her mid 20’s and had a total hysterectomy. They have asked Dr. Ellis if he would artificially inseminate her widowed Mother (Nancy Hoffman), 51 years old with his husband’s (Mr. John Beall) sperm, so they can have a child that is genetically linked to both of them. Mrs. Hoffman is willing to undergo the procedure and has no health reasons that would prohibit her from carrying the child to term. Crissy is her only daughter and she views her role in this arrangement as an act of love. Make a reaction to this case scenario.

is it morally right?
if yes, State your reasons.
If no, State your reasons too.

Answer 1

Surrogacy is a very painfull method, at the age of 51, Statistically speaking, a woman over the age of 50 (or even over the age of 40) cannot give them that guarantee. While you may be able to get pregnant through IVF after menopause, there are some big medical risks to yourself and the child you will carry. They include increased chances of: Gestational diabetes.

Surrogacy is a very controversial issue. There are plenty ethical concerns to be addressed about it. Surrogate motherhood may violate traditional ways of family formation, particularly in Chinese society. Yet surrogate motherhood is fundamentally moral in the sense that it helps infertile women to have a family.

Some more serious side effects are conditions that can develop during the pregnancy like gestational diabetes, hypertension or potential damage to your reproductive organs. As with any pregnancy, there is also the risk of a surrogacy miscarriage or preterm labor.

In 2005, in response to a boom in demand driven largely by foreign nationals, the Indian government adopted regulatory guidelines aimed at rooting out illegal clinics and exploitation of surrogates. In 2015, the government banned surrogacy for foreign nationals outright.

The Pros and Cons of Being a Surrogate Mother

• Surrogacy is a fulfilling experience.
• Surrogate mothers are part of a strong support group.
• Surrogates can experience being pregnant again.
• Surrogates receive a generous compensation.
• Surrogates are legally protected.
• Surrogacy is physically and emotionally demanding.
• Surrogacy is a lengthy process.

IVF clinics in the US have a surrogacy success rate of about 75%. Once the surrogate is pregnant, the success rate for a healthy birth is as high as 95%.