The future of commercial surrogacy depends on a strong legal and ethical framework that will build trust in the process and its providers.
Moral and ethical concerns have come to the fore regarding surrogacy, highlighted due to scams, exploitation and other misbehaviors within the Surrogacy environment.
The easiest path for countries to take - rather than embroil themselves
in a quagmire of issues - that are not a major priority on the overall
political agenda, is to simply ban Surrogacy, and so put out this fire.
Here are several countries where surrogacy is now illegal or highly restricted:
Germany: Surrogacy is illegal in Germany, and contracts related to surrogacy are considered void and unenforceable.
France: France prohibits all forms of surrogacy, including altruistic surrogacy. Violating this law can result in heavy fines and even imprisonment.
Italy: Surrogacy is illegal in Italy, and the country does not recognize any form of surrogacy arrangement.
Spain: Surrogacy is not legally permitted in Spain. The country's laws do not recognize surrogacy arrangements, and engaging in surrogacy can lead to legal consequences.
Portugal: Portugal has strict laws against surrogacy. All forms of surrogacy are prohibited, and engaging in surrogacy can result in legal penalties.
Turkey: Surrogacy is illegal in Turkey, and the country's laws do not recognize any form of surrogacy arrangement.
Many Middle Eastern Countries: Surrogacy is generally illegal or highly restricted in many Middle Eastern countries due to cultural, religious, and legal reasons. These countries include Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Several Asian countries have banned or heavily restricted surrogacy. For example, surrogacy is illegal in China, Japan, and most recently, Thailand.
To mitigate the risk of scams and unethical practices, it's essential for intended parents to thoroughly research any surrogacy agency or service provider they are considering. They should seek recommendations from trusted sources (which unfortunately are few), carefully review contracts, and ask detailed questions about the services provided and the costs involved. Additionally, working with reputable professionals, such as experienced surrogacy attorneys and fertility clinics with a track record of ethical practices, can help reduce the risk of falling victim to scams.