Topic:
Surrogacy and the ethical issues (include perspectives and why it could be unethical and why is ethical)
Final Paper Guidelines
This final paper should be a critical analysis of a SCIENTIFIC ethical question of your choosing (with approval from me). You must identify an ethical question and the ethical issues that are at stake. Then you must fully analyze BOTH (or multiple) positions relating to your ethical question. You should think of this as answering your ethical question. This is to be an analytical piece- you are to arrive at your position after a careful critique of all of the issues at stake. As an analytical document, you are expected to write in “scientific” format.
Your document needs to include:
1. The ethical question as your title
2. An introduction highlighting all of the relevant background. This part should answer the question: What are the relevant facts? It should introduce the reader to the broader scope of the issue and describe the history of the controversy. Of course, you are expected to reference literature on topic.
3. The “pro” arguments (but do not label this section “Pro”)- this section should state your position CLEARLY and give several supporting arguments for it. In making your ethical decision, make sure you directly reference ethical considerations including (but not limited to) “harms vs benefits”(beneficence/non-malevolence), “respect for persons” (autonomy), and “fairness” (justice). You need to show me that you can “think like a bioethicist” using the analytical techniques that we use in class. This section should take the framework of “It IS ethical because….”
4. The “con” arguments(but do not label this section “Con”)- present counterpoints, fully examine their arguments (do not dismiss them!). This section follows the structure of “It is NOT ethical because…”
5. Conclusion- in the conclusion, you need to justify your position! Convince me. And re-iterate the importance of the issue.
The final product should be 4-5 pages, NOT including a reference page. You should have at least 10 references, 5 of which should be primary sources (journal articles). References and citations in APA format.
The paper should use this sources that I already submitted as a bibliography in addition to new sources until 10 references are reach in total and instructions are completed.
Annotated Bibliography on Surrogacy
Gamble, N., & Prosser, H. Crossing borders for surrogacy: why do parents go overseas for surrogacy, and how does it affect their experience? https://brilliantbeginnings.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Crossing-borders-for-surrogacy.pdf
This article examines how international surrogacy stacks up against the surrogacy industry in the United Kingdom. The research used a comprehensive questionnaire with multiple-choice to learn about parents’ motives, choices, contacts with experts, connections with surrogates, financial considerations, and opinions on legislation change in the United Kingdom (Gamble & Prosser n.d.). This research helps to expand our scientific understanding of the surrogacy ethics debate. As such, it will present pertinent information to assist in understanding the experience of parents who travel abroad for surrogacy and its effect on them. The research also provides insight into the legal and ethical considerations that must be addressed throughout surrogacy agreements. It helps understand why some parents choose international surrogacy and what other circumstances may benefit them.
Gunnarsson Payne, J., Korolczuk, E., & Mezinska, S. (2020). Surrogacy relationships: a critical interpretative review. Upsala journal of medical sciences, 125(2), 183-191. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03009734.2020.1725935
Gunnarsson Payne et al. (2020) perform a critical interpretive evaluation of current qualitative research on surrogacy partnerships using a relational approach. Beyond the dichotomy between commercial and non-commercial and conventional and gestational surrogacy, the authors suggest a typology of surrogacy agreements. The suggested typology classifies connections into four categories—open, closed, structured, and entangled—and examines the factors that shape them. For this reason, the theoretical value of this paper lies in the fact that it contributes to the maturation of a relational justice perspective on surrogacy (Gunnarsson Payne et al., 2020). This article is helpful since it explains the various surrogacy partnerships and the factors that determine them. That will help me write a more comprehensive analysis of the elements that form surrogacy partnerships, which is an integral part of my final paper. The ethical implications of surrogacy may be better explained, and the case for or against surrogacy can be better argued using the data presented here.
Gupta, N. (2019). Surrogacy: Current Scenario in India. Pan, 2(3), 101-105. https://pajog.com/images/pajog/issue-image/All_issue/5ec4030271b3a20200519Article_PDF_FileSurrogacy%20Current%20Scenario%20in%20India.pdf
The article written by Gupta (2019) examines the present state of surrogacy in India as well as the recent enactment of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2018, which prohibits any surrogacy agreement in India that involves monetary remuneration for the surrogate mother. The article discusses the many forms of surrogacy and the issues associated with commercial surrogacy, such as the commercialization of both mothers and their offspring. Additionally, Gupta (2019) highlights the need for proper and fair laws being adopted all around the globe, as well as the significance of picking cases carefully to secure favorable outcomes. This article will help my research paper since it contains information I can use on surrogacy as a reproductive technology, its many forms, and the debates surrounding it. Moreover, Gupta’s article provides arguments against commercial surrogacy, which I may use to strengthen my case against the ethical ramifications of this practice.
Liamzon, G. M. A., Santos, A. M. P., Tamayo, M. A. M. G., & Macapagal, M. E. J. (2021). Surrogacy among Filipinos who have struggled with infertility: A discourse analysis. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 15, 1834490921997933. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1834490921997933
In their article, Liamzon et al. (2021) investigate how ten infertile Filipino Roman Catholics talk about surrogacy. Surrogacy was discussed detachedly, with participants emphasizing the emotional components and the participation of another person as “taking over” the role of the mother. Each participant recognized their strengths and weaknesses as they made peace with surrogacy’s dual nature as a selfless gesture and a lucrative business. Participants in the research negotiated using alternative teachings or God-given “free choice” to argue in favor of surrogacy, highlighting the unclear position of religion in surrogacy. Considerations for the ongoing practice among important actors in reproductive health in underdeveloped nations are provided, and the study provides a thoughtful analysis of views regarding surrogacy in the Philippines. Therefore, this article will help me with my final paper since it gives all sides of the cultural and theological debate about surrogacy. It will provide new information and insights from the field of science that may shed light on the breadth of ethical concerns raised by surrogacy in the Philippines.
Sarkar, M. K., & Sarkar, S. D. Is surrogacy a face of Baby selling? https://shikshansanshodhan.researchculturesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/SS202206002.pdf
The ethical question of whether or not surrogacy amounts to a “baby sale” is investigated by Sarkar & Sarkar (n.d.). According to them, thousands of couples and people have been able to start families due to surrogacy. They argue that a biological link to one’s child is a gift that adoption cannot provide. Hence surrogacy is a boon for those in need. Arguably, concerns have been raised about the possibility of surrogacy leading to the exploitation of coerced or trafficked women into becoming surrogate mothers and the subsequent sale of the baby. The authors advocate for legal protections for intended parents and surrogate so that surrogacy may continue to serve as a medical option for those who cannot have children. This article will help my research paper since it addresses the moral dilemma of using a surrogate mother. It highlights the possibility of abuse and human trafficking in the surrogacy process and advises that appropriate legislation be enacted to address this problem. In this article, I will discuss the significance of ethical rules in surrogacy and the extent of the ethical problem that it presents.
Tang, Q. (2019). Surrogacy in China: public opinion, litigations, and court rulings. Asian Soc Sci, 15(10), 84. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/db2e/38eb552a1aaf1b86ac727547309f9dabf797.pdf
The challenges contemporary Chinese parents experience are discussed in Tang’s (2019) analysis of the cultural stance regarding surrogacy in China. The article delves into the influence that public opinion, litigation, and judicial judgments on surrogacy in China have on the general public’s perspective. With the introduction and repeal of the one-child restriction, many families have turned to surrogacy to increase their family size. In China, surrogacy is performed on a grey market, which raises ethical and legal questions. Concerns over whether or not surrogacy should be legal, as well as how to protect the rights of all parties involved in a surrogacy transaction, are only two of the more significant issues brought up by the article. This article is helpful for my final paper since it describes the difficulties that contemporary Chinese parents confront and how they feel about surrogacy in China. The article gives reasons for and against surrogacy, and its emphasis on the necessity for rules to safeguard the rights of all individuals involved in the process will help me develop my position on the issue.
Vettorel, A. (n.d). Surrogacy Contracts and International Human Rights Law. Numero monografico La (non) libertà riproduttiva, 61. https://www.unive.it/pag/fileadmin/user_upload/dipartimenti/DSLCC/documenti/DEP/numeri/n47/DEP_47_fileunico.pdf#page=74
This article discusses the challenges contemporary Chinese parents experience with surrogacy in China (Tang, 2019). The article delves into the influence that public opinion, litigation, and judicial judgments on surrogacy in China have on the general public’s perspective. With the introduction and repeal of the one-child restriction, many families have turned to surrogacy to increase their family size. In China, surrogacy is performed on a grey market, which raises ethical and legal questions. Concerns over whether or not surrogacy should be legal, as well as how to protect the rights of all parties involved in a surrogacy transaction, are only two of the bigger issues brought up by the article. This article is helpful for my final paper since it describes the difficulties that contemporary Chinese parents confront and how they feel about surrogacy in China. The article gives reasons for and against surrogacy, and its emphasis on the necessity for rules to safeguard the rights of all individuals involved in the process will help me develop my position on the issue.
References
Gamble, N., & Prosser, H. Crossing borders for surrogacy: why do parents go overseas for surrogacy, and how does it affect their experience? https://brilliantbeginnings.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Crossing-borders-for-surrogacy.pdf
Gunnarsson Payne, J., Korolczuk, E., & Mezinska, S. (2020). Surrogacy relationships: a critical interpretative review. Upsala journal of medical sciences, 125(2), 183-191. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03009734.2020.1725935
Gupta, N. (2019). Surrogacy: Current Scenario in India. Pan, 2(3), 101-105. https://pajog.com/images/pajog/issue-image/All_issue/5ec4030271b3a20200519Article_PDF_FileSurrogacy%20Current%20Scenario%20in%20India.pdf
Liamzon, G. M. A., Santos, A. M. P., Tamayo, M. A. M. G., & Macapagal, M. E. J. (2021). Surrogacy among Filipinos who have struggled with infertility: A discourse analysis. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 15, 1834490921997933. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1834490921997933
Sarkar, M. K., & Sarkar, S. D. Is surrogacy a face of Baby selling? https://shikshansanshodhan.researchculturesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/SS202206002.pdf
Tang, Q. (2019). Surrogacy in China: public opinion, litigations, and court rulings. Asian Soc Sci, 15(10), 84. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/db2e/38eb552a1aaf1b86ac727547309f9dabf797.pdf
Vettorel, A. (n.d). Surrogacy Contracts and International Human Rights Law. Numero monografico La (non) libertà riproduttiva, 61. https://www.unive.it/pag/fileadmin/user_upload/dipartimenti/DSLCC/documenti/DEP/numeri/n47/DEP_47_fileunico.pdf#page=74