Interpretations, perspectives and intentions in surrogate motherhood

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Reproductive Law
• Sociology of Reproduction

Background:

• Surrogacy contracts are debated for potentially alienating or dehumanizing women.
• Liberal perspectives support surrogacy based on freedom of contract.
• Concerns exist regarding the suppression of a surrogate mother's evolving perspective on her pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the meaning of being a surrogate mother.
• To determine appropriate perspectives for a surrogate mother regarding her pregnancy.
• To analyze interpretations of "surrogate pregnancy" within ethical, agency, and surrogate viewpoints.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of arguments from ethicists, surrogacy agencies, and surrogate mothers.
• Examination of three distinct interpretations of "surrogate pregnancy".

Main Results:

• Surrogacy contracts do not necessarily suppress a surrogate's perspective but allow for multiple interpretations of pregnancy.
• Banning surrogacy contracts would restrict women's freedom to interpret their pregnancies in diverse ways.
• The study moves beyond the notion that surrogacy contracts inherently deny natural or conventional interpretations of pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• The freedom to contract extends to agreements for bearing a child, including surrogacy.
• Multiple valid perspectives on pregnancy exist, and surrogacy allows for these diverse interpretations.
• Ethical considerations should encompass the varied ways surrogates experience and interpret their pregnancies.