Khushi Chaudhary 1 & Dr. Hitesh Kumar Singh 2
1 Khushi Chaudhary, M.A. Philosophy, 2nd Semester, Meerut College, Meerut, U.P.
2 Dr Hitesh Kumar Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, Meerut College, Meerut, U. P.
Khushi Chaudhary, E-mail: chkhushi1824@gmail.com
Dr. Hitesh Kumar Singh, E-mail: hiteshsinghgkp@gmail.com
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 3 (September 2026) – Anubodhan
Received: 15 July 2026 / Accepted: 18 July 2026 / Published online: 23 July 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n3.2026.090
Abstract
This paper critically examines the ethical dilemmas surrounding surrogacy as a contemporary reproductive practice situated at the intersection of medicine, ethics, law, and human rights. Surrogacy has emerged as an important alternative for individuals and couples who are unable to conceive due to infertility, medical conditions, or other reproductive challenges, particularly with the advancement of assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). The study first explains the concept and forms of surrogacy and then analyses the principal ethical arguments both in favour of and against the practice. Arguments supporting surrogacy emphasize reproductive autonomy, the right to parenthood, women’s bodily autonomy, individual freedom, and its potential economic benefits for surrogate mothers. It is also viewed as an alternative to adoption for intended parents seeking a genetic connection with their child. Conversely, the paper highlights significant ethical concerns, including the exploitation of economically vulnerable women, the commodification of motherhood and children, emotional and psychological distress experienced by surrogate mothers, health risks associated with pregnancy, and the increasing commercialization of human reproduction. The paper also discusses emerging trends in surrogacy arrangements designed to minimize emotional attachment between surrogate mothers and intended parents and evaluates the ethical implications of such practices. It concludes that surrogacy should neither be unconditionally accepted nor entirely rejected. Instead, it advocates a balanced ethical approach supported by informed consent, psychological counselling, strict legal regulation, and robust safeguards to protect the dignity, rights, and welfare of surrogate mothers, intended parents, and children.
Keywords: Surrogacy; Bioethics; Reproductive Rights; Women’s Autonomy; Commercial Surrogacy; Commodification; Medical Ethics.
How to cite: Chaudhary, K. & Singh, H. K. (2026). Ethical Dilemmas of Surrogacy. Anubodhan, 2(3), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n3.2026.090