The Business of Renting Wombs is Thriving–and Surrogates Don’t Always Understand the Risks

Carolyn Barber | Fortune Well | November 17, 2022

The surrogacy industry is booming in the US with little to no oversight. Clinics often fail to inform potential surrogates about risks of IVF, which can lead to dangerous complications for them and for the children.

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Colonialism Of Childbirth: How Racism Slammed Into My Surrogacy Experience

Abril Castro Prieto | WorldCrunch | November 3, 2022

Abril Castro Prieto from Mexico illustrates the effects of racism and colonialism on the reproductive technology industry  and shares her personal experience with reciprocal IVF (mis-translated from original Spanish into the English version as “surrogacy”). When choosing an anonymous sperm donor, her doctor assumed she would opt for a white donor, i.e. expecting she would want to “improve the race.” 

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I Took an International Trip with My Frozen Eggs to Learn About the Fertility Industry

Anna Louie Sussman  | MIT Technology Review | September 12, 2022

The author’s own experience with IVF reveals the hidden world of global gamete and embryo shipping across borders. Her story, along with others, illuminates how fertility companies send frozen gametes to countries with robust surrogacy sectors.

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CNN’s ‘The Baby Business’ Scratches Surface, Pushes Fertility Regulation

Ellen Trachman | Above the Law | September 7, 2022

CNN’s program “Special Report: The Baby Business” showed how the lack of regulation of assisted reproductive technologies can make fertility treatment a risky business for families who want children as well as surrogates and donors.

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How Your Company Can Help You Pay for Starting a Family

Kathryn Vasel | CNN Business | August 24, 2022

Employers have become progressively more inclusive with their family-building benefits, with an estimated one-third of large employers offering family-planning support to LGBTQ and single workers.

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Roe Reversal May Threaten Already Fragile LGBTQ Family-Planning Landscape

Julie Moreau | NBC News | August 1, 2022

US state abortion bans could affect IVF, because discarding embryos is common practice. LGBTQ couples will be disproportionately affected and are advised to consult with attorneys. Surrogates in these states will also have limited options in cases of pregnancy complications. 

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In a Time of War, How Ukraine Sought Protection of its Frozen Embryos

European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology | July 11, 2022

During the annual European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology meeting, an IVF lab director gave a presentation on the courage and professionalism of Ukrainian fertility doctors amidst the Russian invasion. He also called on the international ART community to help employ these doctors abroad.

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What Singapore’s Move to Legalise Egg Freezing Says About its Society

Yvette Tan | BBC | April 28, 2022

The Singaporean government announced that single women from 21-35 years of age can freeze their eggs starting in 2023. The caveat is that women can only use the eggs once they are legally married, which excludes women who remain single and lesbian couples.

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Gay Couple Files Complaint Against New York City Over Denying IVF Coverage

Jo Yurcaba | NBC News | April 15, 2022

A gay couple filed a charge against New York City because the city’s insurance policy for IVF is discriminatory. The policy requires a diagnosis of infertility, which is defined as “inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse,” which excludes gay couples.

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In Breakthrough, Israel Temporary Eases Gay Surrogacy Policy

Adir Yanko | Ynet News | April 11, 2022

Israel’s Health Ministry announced that single gay males or gay couples who have frozen embryos abroad, or are planning to freeze them until the end of April, can bring them to Israel for insemination via a surrogate.

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