June 2022: The Law Commission has just released its review of surrogacy laws in New Zealand, and argues that surrogacy and sperm & egg donation is a legitimate form of family building that requires a specific legal framework to promote and protect the rights and interests of surrogate-born children, surrogates and intended parents. There’s also a private members bill by Labour MP Tamati Coffey to make surrogacy easier which is currently before a Select Committee.
But the question that nobody seems to be asking is – should we be making surrogacy and sperm donation “easier”? Are we truly considering the rights of the child? What is it like to find out that your true biological father’s only involvement in your life was the donation of his sperm? How do you deal with the feeling of loss and rejection from your biological mother who is labelled as your ‘surrogate’ or ‘gestational carrier’? Is it normal that when you see someone who resembles you, you wonder if they are related? Can you be blamed for feeling disturbed that some money or a contract may have been involved in your conception? What if the biological parent or parents don’t want any contact? Watch this short analysis of the issue.
Official website: https://www.surrogacylaws.nz/
