Government paper suggests publicly funded Rent-a-womb scheme
A Canadian government discussion paper on new reproductive technologies is suggesting politicians should consider setting up a publicly funded surrogate mother system.
Known as Rent-a-womb, the system would pay women to bear babies under agreements signed before conception with infertile couples and others seeking parenthood.
While only a single suggestion in the health department document, the idea of a government-funded surrogate program is controversial because of the ethical and socio-economic questions.
While most surrogate mother cases involve family members or close friends, the health department believes the number of purely commercial cases has increased in Canada. No firm statistics are available.
The Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies recommended in 1993 that rent-a-womb contracts be banned as offensive to human dignity.
A voluntary moratorium announced by former health minister Diane Marleau in 1996 had little effect in deterring such arrangements, and the health department has held repeated public consultations on the matter.
The new discussion paper says some participants in the consultations suggest "a public registry of surrogates who would receive modest compensation for their services".
No specific figures have been suggested for the compensation, but the paper says the amount could be similar to Employment Insurance benefits.
It says a government-funded system would eliminate pressure put on women to serve as surrogates for an infertile relative.
"Persons without the close family or friendship ties necessary to seek out an altruistic surrogacy would not be deprived of one of the methods available to have a child," the paper said.
