Surrogacy has been used to conceive children since the Roman or Biblical eras. Many countries have begun to accept this technique, which has assisted many intended parents in growing their families. When we think of surrogacy, we usually think of two types. Traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. Surrogates are referred to as “gestational carriers” as well. Aside from these two, there are other two types of surrogacy: commercial and altruistic.

In this blog, we will cover the fundamentals of commercial and altruistic surrogacy, as well as the distinctions between the two.

commercial surrogacy - Medipocket Surrogacy USACommercial surrogacy

A commercial surrogacy arrangement is one in which a woman (the surrogate) carries a pregnancy for another person or couple (the intended parents) in exchange for monetary compensation. A fee is typically paid to the surrogate in a commercial surrogacy agreement, while the intended parents are responsible for covering all medical expenses related to the pregnancy, as well as any additional expenses incurred by the surrogate.

 

Those who are unable to carry a pregnancy themselves, either owing to medical reasons or because they are a same-sex couple, frequently employ commercial surrogacy. It can also be utilized by parents who are concerned about passing on a genetic condition to their children.

 

Some say that commercial surrogacy commodifies women’s bodies and can lead to exploitation, while others feel that it provides a useful service to individuals who are unable to bear children on their own. Commercial surrogacy laws vary greatly by nation, with some permitting it under specific conditions and others outright prohibiting it.

 

Pros and cons of commercial surrogacy

 

Commercial surrogacy is a contentious practice with both possible advantages and disadvantages. Consider the following advantages and disadvantages:

 

Pros

 

  • Can help with infertility: Commercial surrogacy can help people who are unable to have a child on their own due to infertility, medical difficulties, or other factors.
  • Offers LGBTQ+ couples hope: Same-sex couples who are unable to carry a pregnancy can use this technique to have a biological child.
  • Allows for genetic relatedness: The intended parents can utilize their own sperm and/or eggs to conceive a child via commercial surrogacy, allowing for genetic relatedness.
  • Job prospects: this type may lead to career opportunities for women willing to function as surrogates, which can be very beneficial.

Cons

 

  • Can lead to exploitation: There is a risk that it will lead to the exploitation of women, especially in areas where poverty is high and profit potential is high.
  • Concerns about the commodification of women’s bodies and the commercialization of reproduction: Commercial surrogacy raises ethical concerns about the commodification of women’s bodies and the commercialization of reproduction.
  • Can be costly: Commercial surrogacy may be pricey, with prices sometimes rising into the tens of thousands of dollars.
  • May lead to legal issues: Commercial surrogacy can lead to legal complications, especially if the surrogate changes her mind or the intended parents are from different countries with distinct surrogacy laws.

 

Altruistic surrogacy

 

Altruistic surrogacy is a type of surrogacy arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry a pregnancy for another person or couple in exchange for no monetary compensation other than reimbursement for medical expenses and other associated costs. A surrogate may be a family member or friend of the intended parents in an altruistic surrogacy agreement, or she may be matched with the intended parents through a surrogacy agency.

 

The major aim for altruistic surrogacy is to assist someone else in having a child, rather than to profit financially from the surrogacy agreement. Altruistic surrogacy, unlike commercial surrogacy, does not include payment to the surrogate beyond compensation for expenses and may be viewed as a more ethical alternative to commercial surrogacy.

 

Pros and cons of Altruistic surrogacy

 

The following are the benefits and drawbacks of altruistic surrogacy:

 

Pros

 

  • A selfless act of generosity: Altruistic surrogacy is sometimes viewed as a selfless act of compassion in which a woman assists another person or couple in starting a family.
  • Cost-effective: Because the surrogate mother is not compensated above reasonable expenses, altruistic surrogacy is frequently less expensive than commercial surrogacy.
  • Reduced legal and ethical problems: Altruistic surrogacy eliminates the legal and ethical difficulties that might develop in commercial surrogacy, including exploitation, child commodification, and conflicts of interest.

Cons

 

  • Restricted availability: Altruistic surrogacy is less prevalent than commercial surrogacy since fewer women are prepared to carry a pregnancy for free.
  • Lack of financial incentives: Because the surrogate mother is not compensated beyond acceptable expenditures, altruistic surrogacy may not provide adequate financial incentives to attract women to become surrogates, resulting in a surrogate scarcity.
  • Emotional dangers: Altruistic surrogacy can provide emotional risks for both the surrogate mother and the intended parents, since the surrogate may form a deep bond to the baby she is carrying, while the intended parents may feel emotionally distant from the pregnancy. 
  • Limited legal protection: Altruistic surrogacy may not provide the same level of legal protection for the surrogate mother and the intended parents as commercial surrogacy, as there may be fewer legal safeguards in place to protect their rights and interests.

 

It is advisable to all the intended parents to look for ethical and legal problems regarding each surrogacy type to avoid any further hustles in future. It doesn’t matter which surrogacy type a parents choose, but at the end of the day, it brings hope for many.

 

Surrogacy through MediPocket

 

The United States has deemed to be the best country specialising in surrogacy. The country was the first to practise surrogacy and since then, the fertility experts and surrogacy agencies were ahead of their game. This is the kind of service we want in India. That is why, surrogacy and IVF , powered by MediPocket USA, for the first time in India, have bought the surrogacy services directly from the US. The cross border care offers IVF, egg and sperm donation and surrogacy services to the Indian intended parents. Register now and book a slot for the free surrogacy consultation with a fertility expert from America.


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