 Legal uncertainties of 'surrogate motherhood'
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-07-17 07:57 The business of surrogate motherhood has aroused profound legal issues and moral debates internationally. The practice is regulated differently in various countries. The Chinese government has neither approved nor outlawed the practice of surrogacy agencies. But according to Humans Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulations, issued by the Ministry of Health, medical institutions and personnel are prohibited from offering any form of surrogacy services. However, both Lu Jinfeng and Lin Rongyao's agencies have worked with hospitals that have provided qualified personnel and adequate services, as Dan Dan describes. If disputes do arise (for instance, if the surrogate mother wants to keep the child), all parties would be forced to navigate uncertain legal territory. Both Lu and Lin want the government to better regulate the now still messy situation. Yet this process will take time. "Legislation is a time-consuming process and requires deep social research," says Wang Zhuqing, an expert on marriage law at the Beijing University of Science and Technology. China Daily (China Daily 07/17/2008 page18) |
