Exploring the Complexities of Surrogacy: A Personal Thought.

Hello, readers. One thing I love about the #hivelearners community is that they give everyone the chance to talk about their personal opinion on different topics, and with this, we tend to see how broad the human mind works.

On today's episode of Writing on Learners, we are to discuss a very sensitive topic: "Surrogacy." You might ask, what it means; in simple terms, it means

An arrangement where a woman (the surrogate) agrees to carry and give birth to a child for another person or couple (the intended parents), who will then raise the child. There are two main types: gestational surrogacy, where the surrogate carries a pregnancy created with the intended parents' (or donor) eggs and sperm, and traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate uses her own egg.

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Personally, I have mixed feelings about surrogacy. On one hand, I understand that it can be a wonderful way for individuals or couples who are unable to have children on their own to fulfill their dreams of becoming parents. Not everyone would love to adopt when science has proven a way people can have children with their own genetic features. The selflessness and generosity of the surrogate in carrying a child for someone else is truly remarkable.

People who think about doing it, I mean, helping other women carry their child in their womb, are strong women. While I was doing my research before writing on this topic, I was made to understand that there are two ways or types of surrogacy.

• Gestational Surrogacy: This is when the surrogate carries the pregnancy, but the baby is not genetically related to her. That is, the egg and sperm used in creating the baby will come from the real parents after the child has started growing in something called IVF.

One thing I am concerned about is that the research said the child will not be related to her, but the blood the embryo used in developing into a child was from the surrogacy, so how is the child not related to her? Anyways, I have nothing to say about that because I know very little.

The other type is

• Traditional Surrogacy: This type is when the carrier uses her own egg while the sperm for fertilization comes from the man. In simple terms, the surrogacy and the intended father are both having a child. (No sexual intercourse; it is done by injecting the man's sperm into the surrogate.)

However, I also have concerns about the potential risks and challenges that can arise in a surrogacy arrangement. Issues such as exploitation of the surrogate, lack of legal protection for all parties involved, and the emotional toll it can take on everyone are all important factors to consider.

What if the surrogate decided to keep the child for herself? The parent can sue her for kidnapping. There is always this emotional bond between a mother and her child, I was just thinking. Is surrogacy a job where people carry a child for nine months, then give the child away after getting an agreed amount of money?

Morally, it doesn't sit well with me, but if this means a parent can have a child, what can I say against that?

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In terms of ethics, I believe that as long as the surrogacy arrangement is done willingly and with full consent from all parties involved, it can be ethical. Transparency, communication, and legal protections are key in ensuring that the rights and well-being of everyone are respected throughout the process.

Can I allow surrogacy in my marriage?

The truth is that I am not against the idea of bearing children like this, but I would like my child to get everything she or he needs from my wife and me. I know people who are faced with childbearing issues also don't wish to have their children this way, which means I also don't wish to have my child this way.

The traditional way a husband and wife make children themselves is still the best, and I hope people continue to make children like that.

Thanks for reading. My name is Fashtioluwa.