On Enforcing Surrogacy and Adoption Contract

Hi folks,

Again I just finished watching another episode of Harvard Justice course. Part of Episode 5 talks about surrogacy and adoption, even the sperm and egg donor. Some of these reminded me of weeks ago what we talked about surrogacy issues. Students from different sides questioned each other's viewpoints. I think some of the viewpoints are quite interesting. If you have free time, watch this episode (starting from roughly 30 or 35 min to 45 min).

 

Topic for Jan 30th, 2010 - Surrogacy

I read this article "Scrambled Eggs" , which I think it might be interesting enough as our topic.

And to give an idea about what surrogacy is, you might need to read this one too.

Here're some questions to help our discussion:

1. Have you ever heard about surrogacy? Do you have someone close to you that are having surrogacy?
2. Which side are you: “The joy of parenthood is something that every couple should be able to experience” or “Parents should not put their own desire to be parents over the possible damage it might cause to the baby”?
3. Commercial surrogacy would involve women ‘hiring out’ their wombs to the highest bidder. Do you think surrogacy is likely to be commercialized?
4. Do you agree that a voluntarily surrogacy woman can be seen as offering the exploitation of her body for commercial gain? Or is this a good way for the woman to help her family’s financial problem? Do you think there’s a difference between commercial surrogacy and selling-blood?
5. It's generally understood that if you hire a surrogate to carry your embryo, she, not you, gets to decide whether to abort it. It may be your baby, but it's her body, and that's the legal trump card. Do you agree with that?
6. What happens if the surrogate mother or commissioning couple change their mind?
7. What happens in the case of miscarriage or multiple births?
8. What happens if the child has serious disabilities?
9. What are the rights of the child?
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   cheers, ^.^
   maria