25 January 2012
Interest in surrogacy continues to grow around the world. Surrogacy is becoming more common as a family building option, whether on an altruistic, commercial, host or straight basis.
For some heterosexual couples, surrogacy is an attractive option when IVF treatment has failed and when faced with the often daunting, lengthy and uncertain adoption process.
Surrogacy can also deliver the prospect of a genetically related child, which can be a powerful incentive for many people struggling to conceive naturally and for same-sex couples.
For gay male couples looking to start a family, surrogacy can offer parental autonomy as opposed to entering a co-parenting or known donor arrangement which can involve three or more adults.
Celebrities continue to endorse surrogacy, capturing public interest and raising the profile of surrogacy around the globe.
More jurisdictions than ever before are opening their doors to surrogacy, providing an increasing choice of surrogacy destination for intended parents. Some foreign jurisdictions endorse surrogacy on a commercial basis and offer binding surrogacy contracts and a pool of prospective surrogates and donors, which can seem an attractive option for some intended parents when faced with legal restrictions limiting the practice of surrogacy in their home country.
However, surrogacy law and practice remains an evolving area. There is no international unification of laws surrounding surrogacy and this can create a range of legal problems for intended parents looking to cross-borders and enter into international surrogacy arrangements to create a much wanted family.
Need an expert surrogacy lawyer? If you would like to discuss your family building needs or you would like specialist fertility, surrogacy and family law advice and representation contact Louisa Ghevaert by email louisa@louisaghevaertassociates.co.uk or by telephone +44 (0)20 7965 8399.
