Surrogacy lawyer, Natalie Sutherland has weighed in on the backlash Lily Collins and her husband faced after announcing the birth of their daughter via surrogacy
After the couple shared their happy news on Instagram, they received many lovely messages, but also criticism from people questioning their decision to use a surrogate.
Collins’ husband, Paul McDonald, responded by reminding people that they don’t know the reasons behind their choice and urged them to be more compassionate.
Speaking on Newstalk, Sutherland said she wasn’t surprised by the negative reactions.
“We see this all the time with surrogacy, it hits such a nerve with people,” she said.
“Everyone from behind their keyboard likes to be able to criticise. Infertility is a disease that is absolutely indiscriminate.
“We don’t know why Lily Collins and her husband chose to use surrogacy – and it’s none of our business.”
Sutherland acknowledged that there are ethical concerns around surrogacy, particularly in certain countries where protections for surrogates aren’t up to scratch.
However, she pointed out that in places where surrogacy is well-regulated, it works much more effectively.
“Surrogates are protected, intended parents are protected, and there is an ethical framework in which everyone works,” she explained.
For those considering surrogacy, Sutherland stressed the importance of thorough research.
“Do your research, check that the agency you’re using has ethical standards,” she advised.
While the US is often seen as the gold-standard for surrogacy, she said its high costs drive people to look elsewhere.
“Other countries pop up where there will be bad actors, and as an intended parent, you need to ask yourself if that is something you are willing to engage in.”
Some argue that commercial surrogacy is inherently exploitative and should be banned altogether.
Sutherland disagrees, saying outright bans aren’t practical: “I think there’s a lot of calls for saying surrogacy should be banned… and I don’t think that is ever going to be possible.
“If you have a country where they do ban it, you’re just exporting it to another country, and that feeds the [unethical] issues.”
READ MORE:
- Expert says ‘stop letting kids win’ so they learn that success in life isn’t handed to them
- Parents warned over Flying Tiger wooden play set due to choking hazard after hundreds sold in Ireland
- ‘School phone bans alone are not enough to tackle the negative impacts’
