Printed from: https://archive.cmf.org.uk/advocacy/submissions/?id=229
Published: 22nd October 2019
Surrogacy has been around for a very long time. However, the development of surrogacy that does not use the surrogate's own eggs, has only been possible following the development of in-vitro fertilisation. The Law Society has set out its proposals for reform of the law. Recommended changes include: strengthening the rights of the commissioning couple to make them the legal parents at birth, unless the surrogate contests it within a short time period; legalising regulated international surrogacy arrangements; extending surrogacy arrangements to include gamete donation.
CMF is opposed to surrogacy in principle. This flows directly from our view of marriage as a lifelong and exclusive commitment between one man and one woman, and the only appropriate context for sex. We see marriage as the bedrock of a healthy society. Fragmentation of marriage and parenting is, sadly, sometimes unavoidable, but should not be pre-planned. The intrusion of a third party into that exclusive relationship, in the form of a gamete donor or surrogate, is something that in principle we cannot support. The full response can be found here.Steven Fouch (CMF Head of Communications) 020 7234 9668
Alistair Thompson on 07970 162 225
Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) was founded in 1949 and is an interdenominational organisation with over 5,000 doctors, 900medical and nursing students and 300 nurses and midwives as members in all branches of medicine, nursing and midwifery. A registered charity, it is linked to over 100 similar bodies in other countries throughout the world.
CMF exists to unite Christian healthcare professionals to pursue the highest ethical standards in Christian and professional life and to increase faith in Christ and acceptance of his ethical teaching.
