Ethical aspects of gestational surrogacy and uterine transplantation

Abstract

  Gestational Surrogacy and uterine transplantation are means that make it possible for women with congenital or acquired uterus loss to have children. Discussions about these methods are focused on how to harmonize the desires of individuals with preservation of the overall social order. In the case of gestational surrogacy, discrepancy from the biological order is large, as compared to other assisted reproductive technologies, and not only the surrogate mother, but also the child that is born, may face unfavorable outcomes, although this technique can satisfy the desire of infertile couples. In the case of uterine transplantation, on the other hand, there are open issues such as appropriateness of removing the intact uterus from a healthy woman, and the acceptability of organ transplantation for the purpose of child delivery rather than for treatment of the client. Both gestational surrogacy and uterine transplantation involve diverse medical, ethical and social issues. Therefore, they should be applied with caution in the clinical setting.