Write a response in 3-5 sentenses to this post . DQ 8: Commodification and Assis

Question

Write a response in 3-5 sentenses to this post .

DQ 8: Commodification and Assisted Reproductive Technologies

A commodity, broken down to its most basic, is a thing that can be bought or sold.

To treat someone as a commodity is to put a price on their head, to have a use for them that does not take into consideration their autonomy, humanity, or freedom. It is always wrong to treat a person as a commodity, as slavery shows. Kant would argue that to treat a human as a commodity is to treat them simply as a means to an end, and this is morally wrong.

I do NOT believe that reproductive technologies or surrogacy treats children (or surrogate mothers) as commodities. I believe the money that changes hands is for the services provided, whether to doctors for in vitro fertilization, or to surrogates, for carrying a fetus. The child is a result of advances in healthcare, the money paid and received is for services, not goods. Fertility treatments and surrogacy respect the autonomy, humanity, and freedom of everyone involved, and is therefore, not morally wrong. The argument that surrogacy is baby selling is a simplistic one, and incorrect. Surrogacy involves individuals, under no coercion, who share a goal of providing a family with a child that could not have one on their own. The resulting child is a valued being, the result of a team effort, and not a "good" that has been purchased.

I do not believe that fertility technologies nor surrogacy, as they are today, treat children (or surrogate mothers) as commodities. Once again, the money that changes hands is based on services. For example, with Growing Generations, payment is for medical fees, legal fees, agency fees, and surrogate mother compensation. The surrogate mother is compensated as with any other job, for her time and skill (in this case, physical skill to carry a child). Of course, there are always exceptions, as the video “Womb for Sale” shows, where people take advantage of those at their most vulnerable. However, that particular case was one of fraud, it was not wrong based on its business of surrogacy.

Works Cited:

“Wombs for Rent” Retrieved from: http://www.pbs.org/video/now-on-pbs-surrogacy-wombs-for-rent/  

“Growing Generations” Retrieved from: https://www.growinggenerations.com/

Explanation / Answer

ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES/SURROGACY NOT COMMODITISED.

        Ø   BLESSING FOR PARENTS:

Today, there are many couples as well as individuals who hope to have a child. However, in some situations, this is not possible due to certain medical complications, history of miscarriage, or the biological mother's age.

        Ø   SENSE OF PRIDE FOR SURROGATES:

Most women who choose surrogacy do so to give back to another family. It takes a special, compassionate person to become a surrogate. A surrogate can walk away from the experience with a deep sense of pride and satisfaction that they were able to help another family in the most selfless way possible.

        Ø   BEST COMPENSATION FOR SURROGATES:

In exchange for your yearlong commitment to the intended parents, as well as the many physical and emotional demands of pregnancy, surrogate mothers will receive compensation that may be used to help you achieve future goals, such as buying a house or paying for your children’s college education, so it’s a blessing in disguise.

        Ø   SURROGATES ARE LEGALLY PROTECTED.

Gestational carriers enter into a legally binding contract with the intended parents, giving them the opportunity to clearly outline their expectations and responsibilities during the surrogacy process. This ensures that the surrogate will be fairly compensated and that she will not be responsible for the baby after birth.

Keeping in mind the above mentioned points it will be very unfair to say that Assisted reproductive technologies/surrogacy are being commoditised.

Only thing to keep in mind is that it is important to work closely with a trusted legal professional to ensure the entire process of Surrogacy is completed safely and legally.

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