The Dark Side of Surrogacy & IVF, feat. Kallie Fell
Feb 27, 2025
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Kallie Fell, the Executive Director of the Center for Bioethics and Culture and a perinatal nurse, dives into the ethical maze of surrogacy and IVF. The conversation uncovers the emotional risks and potential exploitation of women, particularly those from less wealthy backgrounds. Personal stories reveal alarming health consequences tied to egg donation and surrogacy. Kallie critiques misleading marketing tactics and the lack of reproductive education, advocating for systemic reforms to protect women and children in this complex landscape.
Surrogacy, often marketed as empowering, primarily exploits vulnerable women, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, due to financial necessity.
The commercialization of surrogacy commodifies children, allowing intended parents to demand specific traits, raising profound ethical concerns about human dignity.
The inconsistent legal landscape surrounding surrogacy leaves women and children unprotected, highlighting the need for stricter regulations and ethical considerations.
Deep dives
The Exploitation of Surrogacy
Surrogacy is often marketed as an empowering option for women, but the reality is that it primarily exploits vulnerable individuals, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. Many surrogate mothers report that they enter the industry due to financial pressures, needing money for basic necessities rather than for luxurious items. The commercialization of surrogacy has led to the commodification of children, transforming them into products subject to consumer demands, where intended parents can demand specific traits or characteristics. This raises ethical concerns about the treatment of both women and children in this surrogacy market, as it often treats them as disposable resources.
Commercial vs. Altruistic Surrogacy
The conversation distinguishes between commercial and altruistic surrogacy, with the former being the main focus of concern due to its financial motivations. Commercial surrogacy typically involves contracts that bind women to fulfill obligations that can disregard their autonomy and well-being, leading to scenarios of exploitation and psychological distress. On the other hand, altruistic surrogacy, where women carry a child for family or friends without financial transaction, is viewed more favorably but still poses health risks. Nonetheless, regardless of the type, surrogacy raises significant ethical considerations regarding bodily autonomy and the potential health consequences for surrogate mothers.
Health Risks Associated with IVF and Surrogacy
In vitro fertilization (IVF) and the process of egg donation also carry significant health risks, which are often downplayed in marketing. The use of powerful medications during egg retrieval can lead to complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can have long-lasting health effects like infertility or even death. Additionally, many women unknowingly enter the process without sufficient knowledge of the long-term consequences of hormonal treatments. There is a lack of national tracking on the health outcomes for women who undergo such procedures, raising concerns about their informed consent and overall health implications.
Legal and Ethical Implications of Surrogacy
The legal landscape surrounding surrogacy is inconsistent, with different states having varying regulations that can leave women and children unprotected. In some states, surrogacy contracts may not be enforceable, while in others, the rights of the surrogate are severely undermined, including the waiver of her parental rights before conception. Internationally, this has led to criticisms of the U.S. for allowing practices that are seen as human trafficking in other countries, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations. Proposals have been made to impose background checks for intended parents and to establish laws that ensure the protection of surrogate mothers and the rights of the children.
Cultural and Moral Considerations in Family Creation
The discussion around surrogacy and IVF also delves into the cultural and moral implications of family creation, particularly how the process of having children has shifted from being a natural act of love to a commercial transaction. There is a concern that this commodification dehumanizes both the birth mother and the child, reducing them to mere goods in a market exchange. Significant contributions from cultural and religious perspectives have emerged, arguing for the inherent sanctity of life and the family unit. It is increasingly recognized that the dialogue surrounding reproductive technologies must include ethical considerations that prioritize the dignity of all individuals involved.
Kallie Fell started her professional career as a scientist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center utilizing a Master of Science degree in Animal Sciences with an emphasis on Reproductive Physiology and Molecular Biology from Purdue University. While assisting in the investigation of endometriosis and pre-term birth, Kallie simultaneously pursued a degree in nursing with hopes of working with women as a perinatal nurse. After meeting Jennifer Lahl at a conference, Kallie became interested in the work of the Center for Bioethics and Culture (CBC) and started volunteering with the organization. Kallie is deeply passionate about women’s health. She continues to work, as she has for the past six years, as a perinatal nurse and has worked with the CBC since 2018, first as a volunteer writer, then as our staff Research Associate, and now as the Executive Director. In 2021, Kallie co-directed the CBC’s first documentary on “transgender medicine” titled Trans Mission: What’s the Rush to Reassign Gender? In 2022 Kallie co-wrote and co-produced the CBC’s latest film, The Detransition Diaries: Saving Our Sisters. Kallie also hosts the popular podcast Venus Rising and is the Program Director for the Paul Ramsey Institute. Her latest film, The Lost Boys: Searching for Manhood is set for release in January 2024 as is her new book, co-authored with Jennifer Lahl, The Detransition Diaries.
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