14th April, 2015
News that a twin boy born to an Indian surrogate under an arrangement with an Australian couple may be regarded as stateless should cause Australians to question whether surrogacy is in the best interests the child and of surrogate mothers, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.
Reports this week said a New South Wales couple entered into a surrogacy arrangement with a woman in India to deliver a single baby girl. But when the mother instead gave birth to twins in 2012, the couple only took the girl while the boy was placed with a family in India.
This was despite concerns being raised that due to the fact Indian law does not recognise surrogate children as citizens, the boy may be regarded as stateless.
Lyle Shelton, the ACL’s managing director, said children "shouldn’t be regarded as off-the-shelf commodities" to meet the requirements of adults.
"While sympathising with couples who cannot have children, ACL doesnot believe surrogacy is in the best interests of many relinquishing mothers or their children…" he said. "Surrogacy, even when done altruistically, objectifies children and surrogate mothers and creates lifelong emotion issues for both."
He said the bond between mother and child should never be severed "unless absolutely necessary".
Mr Shelton said the ACL supported a parliamentary committee round table recommendation that a parlimentary inquiry be established into surrogacy.
– DAVID ADAMS
