Did Lily Collins do anything wrong? Collins is the latest celebrity to welcome a child via surrogacy. But some say she is normalising a grave and sinister new trend.
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Accusations fly in surrogate baby row
Did Lily Collins do anything wrong? Collins is the latest celebrity to welcome a child via surrogacy. But some say she is normalising a grave and sinister new trend.
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Announcing the birth of her child on Instagram, actress Lily Collins received a mountain of abuse from social media users.
Collins and her husband McDowell had used a surrogateIn cloning, the female carries and gives birth to the clone, but is not biologically related and does not pass on its genes to the clone. to have their baby and their announcement prompted concerns about surrogacy, with users describing it as "exploitativeUsing someone or something in an unfair or morally wrong way - but in a way that benefits you. " and asking why it is legal to "rent a womb".
Some countries, like Italy, Spain, France and Germany, outlaw all forms of surrogacy. In the UK, US and Canada surrogacy is allowed in different forms.
The UK has a number of safeguardsMeasures taken for protection. to make sure exploitation does not take place, including a ban on commercial surrogacy: surrogates can be compensated for costs but not paid.
Some think that surrogacy is a way of commodifyingTurning free things into something that needs to be paid for. women's bodies. But others say it is the most natural thing in the world and that women have always volunteered to give birth on behalf of each other.
It is not always a matter of money. Many parents who use surrogacy are struggling with infertility, which can be caused by anything from eating disorders or genetics to cancer. Others are gay couples who want to start a family. Some surrogates just want to give others the gift of new life.
Did Lily Collins do anything wrong?
Yes! Surrogacy might be legal in some countries, but it is still morally wrong. You cannot rent a woman's body to satisfy your own urge for a child.
No! It is not anybody else's place to condemn an agreement that Collins came to with somebody else to deliver her child.
Surrogate - In cloning, the female carries and gives birth to the clone, but is not biologically related and does not pass on its genes to the clone.
Exploitative - Using someone or something in an unfair or morally wrong way - but in a way that benefits you.
Safeguards - Measures taken for protection.
Commodifying - Turning free things into something that needs to be paid for.
Accusations fly in surrogate baby row
Speculation: Fertility experts say that ultra-thin woman, such as actress Lily Collins (above), may struggle to conceive owing to their lack of body fat, which can prevent them from ovulating. Glossary
Surrogate - In cloning, the female carries and gives birth to the clone, but is not biologically related and does not pass on its genes to the clone.
Exploitative - Using someone or something in an unfair or morally wrong way — but in a way that benefits you.
Safeguards - Measures taken for protection.
Commodifying - Turning free things into something that needs to be paid for.