FIGO position statement on surrogacy: Ethical considerations

Surrogacy raises complex social and ethical issues related to autonomy, informed consent, potential exploitation, and the welfare of all parties involved. In this article, FIGO advocates for ethically sound surrogacy practices that prioritize voluntary and informed consent, safeguard the well-being of surrogates, uphold the rights and responsibilities of intended parents, and place the welfare of the child at the center of all decisions. FIGO discourages surrogacy arrangements in which a woman agrees in advance to surrender a child to whom she is genetically related ("traditional surrogacy") and supports surrogacy arrangements in which a woman agrees in advance to surrender a child to whom she is not genetically related ("gestational surrogacy") provided they align with core ethical principles. FIGO also emphasizes the importance of adhering to international ethical standards, particularly in the context of cross-border surrogacy arrangements.