THE BABY M CASE
In the case of Baby M, it is acceptable to view the involved parties as exhibiting characteristics of the Pre-Conventional Level, at Stage Two. Both Whitehead, and the Stern's, were purely interested in their own benefits - whilst Whitehead is apparently more immature (in acting as a surrogate, to then only attempt to keep the child), the Stern's were too, at fault, for only considering the case from their view and not taking further precautions to protect the child and Whitehead.
ALTRUISTIC SURROGACY
In the approach of altruistic surrogacy (where no payment for a baby is made; only those to cover pregnancy costs), it is evident that willing surrogates would be acting in the Post-Conventional Level, at Stage Six. An altruistic surrogate performs the miraculous task of carrying a baby, then delivering and handing it over to the intended parents. To accomplish such a difficult venture requires compassion, a sense of self-worth and self-sacrifice. This is evident in the case of parents Luke and Amanda, whose surrogate mother Lisa displayed an awe-inspiring act of kindness through carrying their baby. This act illustrates Lisa's characteristics of Stage 6 - despite the controversy the pregnancy may have caused, she was able to act upon her own morals to surrender a baby to deserving parents.
In the case of Baby M, it is acceptable to view the involved parties as exhibiting characteristics of the Pre-Conventional Level, at Stage Two. Both Whitehead, and the Stern's, were purely interested in their own benefits - whilst Whitehead is apparently more immature (in acting as a surrogate, to then only attempt to keep the child), the Stern's were too, at fault, for only considering the case from their view and not taking further precautions to protect the child and Whitehead.
ALTRUISTIC SURROGACY
In the approach of altruistic surrogacy (where no payment for a baby is made; only those to cover pregnancy costs), it is evident that willing surrogates would be acting in the Post-Conventional Level, at Stage Six. An altruistic surrogate performs the miraculous task of carrying a baby, then delivering and handing it over to the intended parents. To accomplish such a difficult venture requires compassion, a sense of self-worth and self-sacrifice. This is evident in the case of parents Luke and Amanda, whose surrogate mother Lisa displayed an awe-inspiring act of kindness through carrying their baby. This act illustrates Lisa's characteristics of Stage 6 - despite the controversy the pregnancy may have caused, she was able to act upon her own morals to surrender a baby to deserving parents.