The Future of Surrogacy in Canada 

As more couples struggle with fertility issues and medical problems that prevent them from carrying a pregnancy to term, surrogacy will continue to grow and advance as a solution. With increasing advancements in technology, surrogacy has become more accessible and increasingly less expensive. This makes us consider the future of surrogacy in Canada worth looking forward to.

Comparing Surrogacy Types: What is Commercial Surrogacy?

Surrogacy can be altruistic or commercial; the types can be traditional or gestational. In an altruistic surrogacy, like is practised in Canada, the surrogate agrees to the surrogacy of her own free will and volition. There is no offer of financial compensation after the surrogacy. However, her reasonable expenses that were spent in the surrogacy process are eligible to be reimbursed by the intended parents. This is the opposite of commercial surrogacy, where the surrogate only agrees to the surrogacy arrangements because of a substantial financial reward that would be provided to her after the surrogacy. 

In the traditional type of surrogacy, the surrogate gets pregnant using her eggs through artificial insemination using sperm that is obtained from the intended father. This is also different from gestational surrogacy where the embryo is created using the sperm and eggs that are obtained from the intended parents. After that, the embryo is grown for a few days in the lab. Here, tests are conducted to evaluate viability and check for genetic defects. After which, the embryo is then transferred to the uterus of the surrogate who then carries the pregnancy to term and delivers. 

Desirability of Surrogacy

Surrogacy is greatly desired because it can afford couples who are infertile or find it impossible to have biological children of their own that chance to have it. An example is a same-sex couple who desire to have a biological child of their own. There are no possible ways for them to achieve this except through surrogacy. Surrogacy requires a lot of consultations from professionals and planning before it can be embarked on. It also requires medical fitness evaluations, legal guidance and advice, as well as counselling before, during and after the process.

Ethical and legal considerations of surrogacy

Many ethical and legal issues come into play during the complicated process of surrogacy. In a lot of countries, the treatment is highly regulated, with very strict laws guiding all aspects of the procedure. A major ethical concern of surrogacy is the potential exploitation of the surrogate, especially in developing countries where the surrogacy process is less regulated. This has led to critics arguing that surrogacy arrangements can often lead to the exploitation of vulnerable women who may become coerced or exploited into becoming surrogates without them fully understanding the medical and legal implications of such arrangements. Also, the ownership and control of the child is another ethical concern.

In a lot of instances, the surrogacy arrangements have resulted in legal battles over the custody of the child, especially in situations where either the surrogate or the intended parents change their minds about the arrangements made. This has led to many countries coming up with very strict regulations for surrogacy, including requirements for informed consent, medical screening and legal agreements which clearly state the rights and responsibilities of all the parties involved in the surrogacy arrangement. These legal considerations differ from country to country, with some countries banning surrogacy entirely. Meanwhile, others allow only certain types of surrogacy arrangements under very strict conditions. 

In many cases, the intended parents of one country will have to travel to other more favourable countries to achieve their surrogacy dreams. However, despite all these ethical and legal issues surrogacy remains a popular option for many people who are struggling with fertility issues. As the demand for surrogacy continues to grow, likely, the legal and ethical framework around the treatment will also continue to evolve. It better protects the rights and the interests of all the parties involved. This suggests that the future of surrogacy in Canada will be worthwhile.

Popularity and the Future of Surrogacy in Canada

The popularity of surrogacy varies from one region of the world to another, with some areas experiencing significant growth in the demand for surrogacy services and others not so much. North America remains the most popular destination to carry out surrogacy, with Canada and the USA being the leading countries for the treatment. Europe and the Asia Pacific regions are rapidly catching up, a trend that is driven by the increasing number of people opting for surrogacy in those areas. 

In Europe, the UK, Greece and Ukraine are the most popular surrogacy destinations. These countries are attractive due to their liberal laws and regulations. This has led to an increase in international intended parents going to these countries in pursuit of their surrogacy objectives. However, in the Asia Pacific, countries like Thailand, India and Nepal are becoming popular destinations for surrogacy. But in these areas, the surrogacy laws have become more stringent, with the industry facing increased scrutiny from the authorities. As a result, people are turning to other less strict countries for their surrogacy.

Prospects of Surrogacy 

It is also worth noting that while surrogacy is becoming increasingly popular in some countries, in others it remains illegal or highly restricted. For example, surrogacy is illegal in some Middle East countries and also in Africa. While in Australia, Georgia and Russia, surrogacy is highly restricted. However, despite these legal and regulatory challenges facing the industry, surrogacy has continued growing at an unprecedented rate, with an increasing number of people seeking surrogacy arrangements. As this demand continues to rise, the popularity of surrogacy will likely continue to grow in the regions where it is already well-established, like Canada. Despite the practice of altruistic surrogacy in Canada and the recent changes to the law, the future of surrogacy in Canada is promising. Surrogacy will also spread to other areas where it is not yet widely available.