China’s Ban Doesn’t Stop Surrogate Motherhood
The Mininstry of Health (MOH) in China imposed a strict ban on surrogacy in 2001. Despite this, loopholes in the law and lax enforcement allows childless couples to continue to seek out surrogate mothers. According to the English People’s Daily Online, at least one woman has become a surrogate mother twice, both times largely for the money.
Withholding her real name, the woman is reported to have made over $20,000 giving birth for two infertile couples. “I’ve no choice as I have my own children to support,” the widow said.
“I am not ashamed of what I did and I feel happy to help those in need.” Although the ban is in place, and hospitals assisting surrogate mothers could face charges, brokers and hospitals alike continue to assist couples and the women willing to give birth for them.
For her first surrogate pregnancy, the unnamed woman was provided insemination assistance at a hospital. She claims that for the second pregnancy, she insiminated herself with the husband’s sperm. The agency which matched the woman with the parents says it continues to make about 20 matches a month. The lack of national laws allows China’s childless couples to seek out these agencies and pay up to 200,000 yuan for a surrogate child.
Many countries around the world allow surrogate motherhood. According to China’s MOH, the ethical issues and social norms make it difficult to develop laws against surrogacy. While feminists claim it is an abuse of a woman’s body, both the childless mothers and the volunteers feel it is a perfectly viable option.
“Infertile men can turn to sperm banks for help starting a family.
“Why can’t I find a surrogate mom to have a baby who would liven up my marriage and my whole life?” one client of AA69, surnamed Feng, said.
How do you feel about surrogate motherhood? Is it an abuse of an woman’s body, or is it a legitimate option for infertile couples?
surrogate, motherhood, women, women’s health, reproduction, infertility, China
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