romania. surrogate motherhood

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surrogacy in romania

IFSW Draft Policy on Cross Border Reproductive Services; cover page

In Romania, impoverished young women recruited as egg “donors” by a clinic in Bucharest were subjected to hormone injections to maximize the number of eggs available for “donation” – around 20 - for which they received US$250.

The clinic made huge profits by charging recipients up to US$13,000 for each cycle of treatment using a fertilized “donated” egg. When the “donors” subsequently experienced medical complications, the clinic showed no interest in them.

Although the Bucharest clinic has since been closed by the authorities, the lack of regulation in many countries means that similar practices flourish in many parts of the world; women are also reported to be traveling abroad to “donate” their eggs in foreign countries.

While “donors” and surrogates are evidently at risk, the interests of the children who may be born as a result of these procedures and of the couples or individuals who pursue them may also be jeopardized. For example, inadequate screening of “donors” or surrogates may have adverse health consequences for children and egg recipients;

false or limited information may be provided about the “donors” or surrogate, compromising the child’s knowledge of their biographical, cultural and genetic heritage; the legal status of these procedures may be uncertain, resulting in legal and nationality ambiguities for children and families.

European Union member states are required to ensure that the donation of human tissue, including sperm, eggs and embryos, is voluntary, unpaid and altruistic, and that imports of human tissue into EU countries are subject to similar standards.

In 2005 the European Parliament supported a resolution prohibiting trade in human eggs and embryos. However, this is self-evidently not simply a European problem, but one that has global implications.

If this proposal gains support BASW would be pleased to take the lead in working with other members to consider the prevalence of “fertility tourism” in member countries and the ethical issues that arise from these and prepare a policy paper for the 2008 IFSW World Conference.

Ian Johnston

Chief Executive

British Association of Social Workers

18th July 2006

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