As Family Court judges call for the legalisation and regulation of commercial surrogacy, some experts warn that commercialising surrogacy in Australia would likely lead to exploitation of vulnerable women.
Surrogacy Australia has argued that women should be paid $25,000 to $30,000, apart from the medical expenses currently allowed, to act as surrogate mothers here.
Supporters of commercial surrogacy claim legal and medical safeguards could be implemented, however some groups and experts fear that impoverished women could face coercion or ‘pimping’, especially in situations where domestic violence is already an issue.
One academic has claimed today that “even in a well-regulated commercial surrogacy market, what woman with other real economic opportunities would choose the surrogacy option? You won’t be seeing many women from Toorak bearing a child for a couple from Broadmeadows.’’
Read the full story: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/legal-affairs/women-may-fall-prey-to-birth-pay/story-e6frg97x-1227035142546
