International Surrogacy/Reproductive Outsourcing

International surrogacy is a method of reproductive outsourcing in which an infertile individual or couple employs the service of a surrogate mother who resides outside the individual’s or couple’s country of origin. These individuals or couples, known as intended parents, often desire a genetic connection to their child but are medically, socially, or otherwise unwilling or unable to conceive or carry the child to term. Intended parents often seek surrogate mothers internationally due to financial or legal barriers at home. Employing a surrogate, for example, may cost up to 3 times as much in their own country as it would abroad. Moreover, many intended parents who identify as LGBTQ may encounter legal or social complications with surrogacy due to prohibitive laws related to[Page 597] same-sex ...