The Morality of Surrogacy: Reflections on the Debate at the Battle of Ideas Festival

I’d like to share my initial speech from the panel on ‘The Morality of Surrogacy.’ I believe it captures my position and adds context to my personal perspective on the topic.

“Good morning, everyone. My name is Sarah Jones, and I serve as the CEO of SurrogacyUK, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting those involved in UK surrogacy. I bring to this debate not just professional expertise but also personal experience. For over two decades, I’ve been intimately involved with surrogacy here in the UK, having acted as a surrogate on five separate occasions. The children born from these surrogacy journeys are now 20, 19, 12, 7, and 3 years old. I share enduring relationships with each of these individuals and their families. They all know who I am and appreciate the unique bond we share.

We gather here to discuss ‘The Morality of Surrogacy,’ and while I anticipate points of agreement with my fellow panellists, I cannot subscribe to the notion that surrogacy can not ever be conducted morally. In my view, when executed ethically and with the welfare of the child as the central focus, surrogacy can indeed be morally sound.”

“In the UK, the cornerstone of ethical surrogacy is distinct from models seen elsewhere in the world. Here, especially at SurrogacyUK, surrogacy is built upon the bedrock of friendship, mutual respect, and the expectation of enduring openness and a relationship with the surrogate after the child is born. We firmly believe that ethical surrogacy is inherently tied to an altruistic model. The children born through this process should grow up knowing that their existence came about through a compassionate friendship, rather than a mere transaction. This orientation towards the process naturally places the well-being of the child at the forefront.

“When we speak about the child’s well-being, we’re referring to safeguarding their emotional, physical, and psychological welfare above all else. Both the surrogate and the intended parents are consenting adults, fully aware of the implications of their choices. It’s the child’s rights and welfare that require vigilant protection. I firmly believe that ethical surrogacy can coexist with robust protections for the children involved. My aim today is not only to present the facts but also to alleviate some of the common concerns that many people hold about surrogacy.”

At this juncture, it’s important to clarify a crucial point: I don’t believe that anyone inherently has a ‘right’ to a child—be it intended parents, surrogates, or anyone else who may give birth. A child is an individual in their own right, not an object to be owned. Their unique individual rights must always be the highest priority.”

“While you may hear compelling arguments from my fellow panellists about the potential pitfalls of surrogacy, you might be surprised to learn that I concur with many of their concerns. This is because I too am firmly against commercial surrogacy models that prioritise the desires of the intended parents over the well-being of the child or exploit surrogates who feel they have no other choice but to participate. However, it’s crucial to differentiate between these global practices and what happens here in the UK. The UK model of surrogacy distinguishes itself through its ethical and child-centred framework, a stark contrast to the commercial and exploitative models we often see elsewhere.”

One common misconception stubbornly persists – that altruistic surrogacy is a myth and that ultimately babies are commodified while surrogates monetise their bodies.  This perception is not only misleading but unjust.  Surrogates in the UK are reimbursed only for their actual, out-of-pocket expenses, all of which are reviewed by the courts during the legal process. Far from opposing this legal scrutiny, we welcome the forthcoming legal reforms which will more strictly regulate expenses.  It’s worth noting that the assumption that surrogates must be financially motivated often says more about the accusers own biases and values than about the ethical framework in which UK surrogates operate.

Contrary to popular belief, surrogates in the UK do not wish to be paid. In fact, during the recent consultation with the Law Commission, our surrogate community actively campaigned to maintain the altruistic nature of UK surrogacy. If we wanted to be paid, that would have been the time to push for commercialisation – we didn’t.  Those who allege that expenses are inflated to generate a profit are woefully misunderstanding the very nature of these costs.

“When discussing the morality of surrogacy, it’s crucial to consider the outcomes for children born through this process. Now, you might hear emotionally charged language, phrases like ‘children ripped from their mothers, suffering trauma.’ Such descriptions are crafted to provoke an emotional response. So let’s dispel these notions.

Contrary to such imagery, births in UK surrogacy journeys occur in the presence of the parents. The baby is lovingly placed into the arms of its genetic mother or father, establishing immediate skin-to-skin contact—all while the surrogate is right there, supporting this moment. Far from experiencing trauma, the child is enveloped in love from 3 very special people in its very first seconds of life.

Comparisons are often made with adoption, which is a fundamentally a different situation. In surrogacy, the child grows up with their genetic parents, wanted, planned for and surrounded in an environment of love with an ongoing connection with their surrogate.  Furthermore, we have UK-specific studies showing that children born through surrogacy here tend to have better-than-average outcomes.

In conclusion, surrogacy is a complex and deeply personal journey that quite rightly demands ethical scrutiny.  However when conducted in a manner that puts the child’s well being front and centre, it is not only ethical but also profoundly transformative. 

We must not allow the conversation to be dominated by extreme perspectives or by models that do not apply to our specific context in the UK.  Let us strive for a balanced discourse that appreciates these nuances, rather than a one-size-fits-all condemnation or endorsement. The children born from surrogacy journeys in the UK are not mere outcomes of transactions; they are loved, wanted, and welcomed into their own families that could be created no other way.

Thank you for giving me your attention today, and I look forward to a constructive and enlightening discussion with all of you.”