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Reproductive surrogacy in Ireland — an ethical and legal context

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Reproductive surrogacy can be altruistic or commercial, each with complex ethical considerations that are complicated by heterogeneity in governing laws across jurisdictions. Surrogacy in Ireland is relatively new and largely unregulated, so this review aims to elucidate its current regulatory status and associated ethical issues.

Aims

On reproductive surrogacy from an Irish legal perspective, to:

  1. 1.

    Illustrate the lack of established legislation

  2. 2.

    Describe draft statute

  3. 3.

    Demonstrate the inadequacy of current non-statutory regulation

  4. 4.

    Examine European and Irish Constitutional Law

  5. 5.

    Exhibit challenges in case law for parenthood:

    1. i.

      The lack of recognition of intent to conceive compared to non-Irish jurisdictions

    2. ii.

      The lack of recognition of international surrogacy

    3. iii.

      The lack of procedures to transfer legal parenthood

    4. iv.

      The legal/medical/religious/socioeconomic consequences of 5] i, ii, iii

On reproductive surrogacy from an Irish ethical perspective, to:

  1. 6.

    Analyse ethical issues in altruistic surrogacy

  2. 7.

    Evaluate ethical issues specific to commercial surrogacy:

    1. i.

      Financial and emotional exploitation

    2. ii.

      Commodification of children and women’s bodies

    3. iii.

      Child welfare

    4. iv.

      Healthcare inequality

Conclusion

Irish reproductive surrogacy exists in a legislative vacuum and is poorly governed by non-statutory regulation. However, Ireland is free to draft laws aligned with modern societal views on reproduction, which is especially relevant given the recent legalisation of same-sex marriage. Ethically, carrying mothers and children are vulnerable, particularly in commercial arrangements, with significant financial disparities between commissioning and surrogate parties. Altruistic arrangements can be a boon to Irish society if supported by public education and appropriate legal frameworks.

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  1. Beaumont Hospital, RCSI, Dublin, Ireland

    Carlos Sebastian Gracias

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Correspondence to Carlos Sebastian Gracias.

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Gracias, C.S. Reproductive surrogacy in Ireland — an ethical and legal context. Ir J Med Sci 190, 1063–1070 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-020-02402-4

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