Understanding Surrogacy in the Light of Ethical Values: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v4i1.2857Keywords:
Surrogacy, Ethical Values, Assisted Reproductive TechnologyAbstract
Surrogacy is an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in which a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another individual or couple, raising complex ethical concerns. Scholarly perspectives on surrogacy remain divided. Proponents argue that it provides a pathway to parenthood for individuals and couples unable to conceive, potentially alleviating significant emotional and social distress. Critics, however, contend that surrogacy may blur parental and lineage boundaries and challenge established norms surrounding family and marital relationships. From this ethical standpoint, the use of embryo transfer involving a surrogate mother is questioned due to concerns related to identity, responsibility, and the moral implications of third-party involvement in reproduction.
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