After analyzing the available scientific data, Swedish researchers conclude that surrogacy does not affect children.
In France, surrogacy (surrogacy) is among the most annoying bioethics topics. The country is not alone in this case: the vast majority of European states still prohibit this practice. For the first time, a Swedish study, from the University of Gothenburg, reviews the scientific literature on children born to surrogate mothers to determine the potential risks to the woman and the child.
Cautious results
The researchers explain that most studies on the subject of surrogacy are rather encouraging, and that children born to surrogate mothers are not affected in their physical and mental development. On average, children born to surrogate mothers do not present more medical problems than their little comrades born by conventional in vitro fertilization.
Critics of the practice often point to the emotional turmoil that can manifest in a child born to a surrogate mother. Nevertheless, scientists assure that psychological problems are not greater in these children than in others. In addition, only a minority of surrogate mothers reported having experienced difficulty in giving birth at the end of the pregnancy.
The researchers stress, however, that these conclusions should be taken with caution. Indeed, only 55 studies have been carried out on the subject and analyzed by them. They present many methodological problems, and are therefore not necessarily representative.
The researchers are relying on this literature review to encourage the scientific community to invest more time and resources, to carry out studies on such a major ethical subject.
India legislates surrogacy
India is one of the countries where surrogacy is most practiced. Recently, the government decided to tackle a major problem: more and more foreign couples are coming to the country to use the services of surrogate mothers. The practice can cost them three times less than elsewhere, such as the United States, where they have to pay large sums.
Authorized in India since 2002, surrogacy has become a very lucrative market, grossing up to $ 400 million (€ 368 million) per year, according to a recent study. Many women live in poverty, and have turned to this option to improve their living conditions. But this has sometimes given rise to a lot of abuse. In the most high-profile cases, parents either took only one child out of a pair of twins or decided at the last moment that they didn’t want the baby anymore.
The government is now expected to come up with a law to ban surrogacy for non-Indian couples. In 2012, he had already banned it for single people and for same-sex couples. Many associations welcomed the latest initiative, but some pointed out that surrogacy runs the risk of going underground, with high risks for women.
In Europe, three countries have officially introduced surrogacy. These are the United Kingdom, Greece and Romania. No financial compensation can be granted to the surrogate mother, with the exception of compensation related to medical costs. In addition, Belgium, Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Slovakia do not formally prohibit the practice, which leaves the possibility for certain couples to have recourse to it.
In 2013, the National Council of Medical Ethics proposed the introduction of surrogacy in Sweden. The government is currently studying the project. The work of researchers at the University of Gothenburg brings new arguments to the debate.
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