Surrogate motherhood: where?
This practice is permitted only in countries where parenthood is recognised to those transmitting the genes, even if they haven’t given birth to the child. In Italy, law 40/2004 containing norms regulating medically assisted procreation explicitly excludes the option of surrogacy as well as heterologous type techniques.
Countries where assisted maternity is permitted are on the increase. In the United States and Canada it has been permitted for a while: it is easy to find specialised agencies and clinics with years of experience and the juridical procedures are well known.
Russia, Ukraine and India have recently been permitting assisted reproduction, there are many agencies and clinics, but the legal system poses a few more difficulties compared to the United States.
Costs vary according to conditions; the most reliable agencies normally honour their estimates. Figures are normally extremely high in the United States and more contained, for example, in India. These oscillations are due to various factors among which agency, sanitary and insurance costs and any expenses covered for the surrogate mother.
It is advisable to establish direct relations with all people involved, especially with the bearer. It is the only way to ensure the woman has made a free and fully informed choice, that she is looked after properly and that her rights and the embryo’s are respected.
