The Global Story
The global surrogacy boom
Jan 6, 2025
Sofia Bettiza, BBC's gender and identity correspondent, dives into the booming global surrogacy industry and its ethical complexities. She discusses Italy's controversial ban, likening surrogacy to human trafficking, and shares personal stories of affected couples. The conversation also explores the diverse laws surrounding surrogacy worldwide, the tensions between surrogates and intended parents, and the impact of cultural shifts on this industry. Bettiza balances the empowerment of surrogates against the growing demand from LGBTQ+ and infertile couples.
25:15
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Quick takeaways
- Surrogacy is a complex issue, balancing the demand for family-building among LGBTQ+ couples with concerns over the potential exploitation of women.
- Recent legal changes in countries like Italy reflect a growing trend to criminalize surrogacy, raising serious implications for reproductive rights globally.
Deep dives
Surrogacy: Definitions and Types
Surrogacy involves a woman carrying a baby for another couple, and it can be categorized into two main types: traditional and gestational. Traditional surrogacy occurs when the surrogate uses her own eggs, making her biologically related to the child, while gestational surrogacy involves a surrogate who has no genetic link to the baby, as the embryo is created through IVF using eggs and sperm from other individuals. Gestational surrogacy is more prevalent due to its legal and emotional simplicity. Understanding these distinctions is crucial, especially given the rising demand for surrogacy amid increasing legal restrictions in various countries.
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