CatholicismUsing a surrogate mother to bear children for a childless couple is as old as the story of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis chapter 16. Sarah could not bear children, so she sent her servant, Hagar, to Abraham so she could have his children. The Roman Catholic Church does not, however, advocate surrogacy. Their belief is what is known as 'natural law'. Natural law is the rule of conduct that is given to us by God in the constitution of the nature which God has endowed us. Roman Catholics believe that God intended for married couples to conceive and carry children naturally. Children are believed to be a gift from God, not an object of desire. As Pope VI Paul stated in his encyclical Humanae Vitae,"The transmission of life is a most serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with the God serious role in which married people collaborate freely and responsibly with the God the creator." In addition to this, paragraph 2376 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that: "Techniques that entail the dissociation of husband and wife, by the intrusion of a person other than the couple (donation of sperm or ovum, surrogate uterus), are gravely immoral."
In both cases (Baby M and Liam Veitch), the Catholic Church would oppose of the events which occurred. Even though the parents and surrogate involved in the birth of Liam were happy, in the view of Catholics, this would not justify their actions. |
Buddhism and HinduismBuddhism completely accepts surrogacy. This may be because Buddhism, unlike Christianity, doesn't make procreation a moral obligation. Couples are not under pressure to marry or reproduce, and there are no Buddhist teachings which suggest that infertility treatments or surrogacy are immoral.
Hinduism accepts infertility treatments in specific circumstances. Children are extremely important to Hindu families, and medical help is allowed if a couple can't conceive. Surrogacy is rarely used by Hindus, but surrogacy clinics are an extremely popular industry in India. It is seen as a medical treatment, rather than an infringement upon religious beliefs. The case of Baby M would most likely not be viewed favorably, due to the negative consequences which arose. However, the case of Liam Veitch would most likely be seen as acceptable, as the outcome was positive and the infertility of the intended parents was solved without causing pain to another. |
INTERVIEW - Surrogacy from a Hindu Perspective
A resident of Bridgeman Downs, who has chosen to remain anonymous and will be referred to throughout as "Mel", has shared her Hindu opinion of surrogacy. Mel has chosen not to be filmed and instead the interview was documented through a transcript.
TRANSCRIPT FROM THE INTERVIEW:
Reporter: Hello! Thank-you for letting me see you today. I would only like a few minutes of your time to ask a few questions about your religion.
Mel: That's okay! I'm more than happy to help.
Reporter: So firstly, what is your take on assisted reproduction?
Mel: I've been living in Australia for the past seventeen years, but in India, IVF treatments and things like that aren't seen as a "bad thing". If you did do something to treat infertility, you wouldn't be going against your religion.
Reporter: How is surrogacy viewed from a Hindu perspective?
Mel: Well it's an infertility treatment, so it's okay as well.
Reporter: Is it popular?
Mel: Not so much for Indian mothers, but there are lots of Hindu surrogates. It's a really big business and you can make lots of money. It doesn't go against our beliefs, so lots of people are involved.
Reporter: Would you personally be a surrogate?
Mel: I have a younger sister, and she has children, but I guess if she asked me to be a surrogate I would say yes.
Reporter: Would this be an issue for your parents?
Mel: No, it would be fine by them. They are also Hindu's so they're not against it either, as long as the baby learnt about what happened when it gets older.
Reporter: Thank-you for your time, do you have any thoughts to add?
Mel: It's alright! Not really, because there is no opposition it's really as simple as deciding what's best for you! Sorry to have not been more interesting (laughs).
Reporter: No, thank-you so much for your insight.
TRANSCRIPT FROM THE INTERVIEW:
Reporter: Hello! Thank-you for letting me see you today. I would only like a few minutes of your time to ask a few questions about your religion.
Mel: That's okay! I'm more than happy to help.
Reporter: So firstly, what is your take on assisted reproduction?
Mel: I've been living in Australia for the past seventeen years, but in India, IVF treatments and things like that aren't seen as a "bad thing". If you did do something to treat infertility, you wouldn't be going against your religion.
Reporter: How is surrogacy viewed from a Hindu perspective?
Mel: Well it's an infertility treatment, so it's okay as well.
Reporter: Is it popular?
Mel: Not so much for Indian mothers, but there are lots of Hindu surrogates. It's a really big business and you can make lots of money. It doesn't go against our beliefs, so lots of people are involved.
Reporter: Would you personally be a surrogate?
Mel: I have a younger sister, and she has children, but I guess if she asked me to be a surrogate I would say yes.
Reporter: Would this be an issue for your parents?
Mel: No, it would be fine by them. They are also Hindu's so they're not against it either, as long as the baby learnt about what happened when it gets older.
Reporter: Thank-you for your time, do you have any thoughts to add?
Mel: It's alright! Not really, because there is no opposition it's really as simple as deciding what's best for you! Sorry to have not been more interesting (laughs).
Reporter: No, thank-you so much for your insight.