2000.02EM Surrogate Motherhood
Whereas: Advances in reproductive technology have made possible the practice of surrogate motherhood, where an embryo develops to maturity in the womb of a woman who has agreed in advance to give the child to a couple who may have provided either the sperm or the ovum or both; and
Whereas: As long as there is no regulation in this field, there is a danger that the practice of surrogate motherhood will become increasingly common and increasingly commercialized, as a result of the intense desire of some infertile couples to have a child and the need of some potential surrogate mothers to lift themselves from debt/poverty; and
Whereas: The idea of surrogacy does not sufficiently take into account the nine-month period of gestation and the emotional bonding which is almost certain to take place between the surrogate mother and the child in her womb, with unpredictable consequences for the post-natal agreement and the welfare of the child born of the surrogate mother; and
Whereas: The well-being of the child of a surrogate mother must be taken into account, including the basic right to know his/her origin; and
Whereas: It is a long-standing principle of our society that human life should not be for sale;
Therefore be it RESOLVED:
That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to enact legislation which will prohibit commercial arrangements for surrogate motherhood, ensure that in any other case both the surrogate mother and the adopting parents will receive counseling before completing any surrogacy arrangement, and provide a waiting period after the birth of the child before the adoption can be completed.