Washington D.C., Jun 8, 2013 / 17:06 pm
A lack of information about the dangers of surrogate pregnancy could soon allow the practice to become legal in Washington, D.C., warned the founder of one bioethics organization.
"These issues aren't on anyone's radar," said Jennifer Lahl, president of the Center for Bioethics and Culture. "By and large people have accepted third party reproduction. It's not seen as controversial…because people are woefully misinformed."
Lahl told CNA that the average person sees nothing wrong with surrogacy, which is the practice of a woman carrying and delivering a baby for someone else. This could explain the lack of opposition to a new bill in that nation's capital, she said.
Legislation introduced June 3 by D.C. Councilman David Catania would legalize surrogacy in the district. If passed, it would wipe away current local legislation prohibiting surrogacy contracts, which carry penalties of up to $10,000 in fines or a year in jail.