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| Commercial Surrogacy | There is one way out for the thousands of women incapable of bearing a child. It is commercial surrogacy that has been legalized under the national guidelines on Associated Reproductive Techniques (ART). This theme has given rise to an ethical debate, with some likening it to baby selling and a means of marketing reproduction. Others are aware of that childless couples have the right to resort to this method without interference from others as long they are well-informed.
• Commercial surrogacy is treated more punitively than altruistic
This seemingly new technique of surrogate motherhood may not be so new after all.
Nowadays, sexual interactions between couples are perceived as something very private and if within a permanent acceptable ethos, there is likely no interference. Only when pregnancy and child-birth come into focus, the society becomes vocal.
Some medical ethicists liken commercial surrogacy to "baby selling". Under baby selling is meant when you have a born child that is sold to another person; here we're talking about agreements made even before conception has occurred. Also the genes are being provided by the couple that is hiring the surrogate. Therefore, in a sense, it is their genetic child.
Once the issue was raised by those who oppose the practice of commercial surrogacy is the commoditisation of babies. They assert this is a commercial transaction in which a child is a product sold by the surrogate and purchased by the commissioning couple, or individual. It can be true. Though, the true is that the surrogate woman is charging for the use of her womb for intrauterine nurturing of the conceptus.
Some consider pre-conception arrangements as a means of marketing reproduction. The practice makes the attempts for attaching a commercial value to the reproductive process and, by extrapolation, to a woman in her capacity to reproduce. Surrogacy opponents see in these and other issues harmfulness for individuals, families and society. They are aware of eventually legitimizing the practice would result in a lack of respect for the sanctity of life. By and large, commercial surrogacy is treated more punitively than altruistic.
However, we can't overlook that commercial surrogacy must ensure protection of those potential surrogates who are vulnerable to exploitation because of their economic circumstances.
One should take a balanced view and accept that the distinction between commercial and altruistic surrogacy is socially constructed rather than based on intrinsic differences.
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