SURROGATE PARENTING
SURROGATE PARENTING: ETHICAL AND NURSING IMPLICATIONS IN HEALTH CARE
Proponents’ Arguments
Supporters of surrogate parenting emphasize reproductive autonomy and social justice—helping same-sex couples, single individuals, or infertile couples achieve parenthood (Shenfield et al., 2025). Non-commercial gestational surrogacy, under well-structured protocols, is considered ethically acceptable when designed to protect the surrogate, intended parents, and future child. According to the ESHRE Ethics Committee, safeguards such as informed consent, psychological screening, and binding enforceable contracts are central (Shenfield et al., 2025).
Opponents’ Concerns
Critics raise serious ethical concerns around exploitation, especially of economically vulnerable women, commodification of human life, and psychological risks. There is also worry over reproductive tourism and inconsistent legal frameworks across jurisdictions, potentially leading to rights abuses.
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES: VALIDATED AND VIOLATED
- Autonomy is supported when surrogates give fully informed, voluntary consent.
- Justice may be violated if economic coercion pressures women into surrogacy without genuine choice.
- Beneficence is upheld when properly overseen, but nonmaleficence is at risk if physical or psychological harm results to the surrogate or child.
IMPACT ON NURSING PRACTICE BY 2025
- Nurses may take on new roles in screening, counseling, and care coordination for surrogacy programs. Enhanced competencies in reproductive ethics, culturally sensitive communication, and interprofessional collaboration will become essential.
NURSE LEADER ADVOCACY
- A nurse leader could advocate by ensuring policies that demand robust informed consent, psychosocial support, equitable access, and protection against exploitation. They could also push for standardized national or institutional guidelines.
CHALLENGES WITH DIVERSE POPULATIONS
- Culturally sensitive challenges include differing beliefs about familial roles, stigma in religious groups, language barriers, and distrust among marginalized communities. Nurse leaders should champion inclusive education, consent processes in multiple languages, and community engagement.
Requirements: 250 words
Answer preview to SURROGATE PARENTING
APA
300 WORDS
