I am for surrogacy, provided both sides are willing parties.
This may sound like an organ trade, but try to see it from the childless couple's point of view.
Surrogacy is the last resort for desperate couples. The whole process is costly and complicated. Who would want to pay so much money to a stranger and go through all that trouble unless they are desperate to have a child?
Many young couples are unable to have children because of various medical conditions, and many are turning to in-vitro fertilisation.
My husband and I have been married for years, but are unable to have a baby. I cannot conceive because of medical reasons. But we are still young and are open to the idea of adoption and surrogacy. We intend to go for surrogacy if possible, and my hospital has helped to freeze some of my eggs.
To some people, surrogacy may seem like a transaction that involves money and is exploitative. However, we have to be clear that nobody is forcing anyone to do anything.
The surrogate mother is paid well for her labour. With the money, she may be able to give her existing or future children a better education, or her family a better life years down the road.
For the childless couple, it means the whole world to them to have a baby.
I believe there is no right or wrong in this case. It depends on one's thinking and whether one can accept the practice or not.
Eileen Lim (Mrs)
This article was first published in The Sunday Times on August 24, 2008.
