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The practice of surrogacy in N ew Z ealand
Author(s) -
Anderson Lynley,
Snelling Jeanne,
TomlinsJahnke Huia
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.2012.01419.x
Subject(s) - indigenous , egg donation , population , bioethics , fertility , political science , sociology , demography , medicine , law , gynecology , biology , ecology
Background Commercial surrogacy is prohibited in New Zealand by the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004 ( HART Act). However, altruistic clinic‐assisted surrogacy is permitted. Couples wishing to attempt altruistic surrogacy must apply for approval to a statutorily appointed ethics committee. One of seven principles that underpin the HART Act stipulates that the needs, values and beliefs of M aori ( NZ 's indigenous population) should be considered and treated with respect. Aim This paper reviews the outcomes of surrogacy applications since the HART Act was established and the uptake of surrogacy by M aori. Methods The authors examined the demographic data provided to the ethics committee by way of surrogacy applications and the outcome data provided by fertility clinics. This paper reviews the outcomes for surrogacy applications: the number accepted/declined, the number of live births, those applications discontinued and uptake by M aori. Results Of 104 applications for surrogacy between 2005 and 2010, 4 (3.8%) were declined. By J uly 2011, of 100 approved, there have been 26 (26%) live births; 52 (52%) were discontinued, and 22 (22%) remain ongoing. M aori are much less likely to utilise surrogacy. Of the 104 original applications, 9 (8.6%) M aori women were willing to act as a surrogate, and 2 (1.9%) were intended mothers. 7 (6.7%) M aori were partners of a surrogate, with 2 (1.9%) intending mothers having M aori partners. Conclusions The process of surrogacy applications is comprehensive and robust, resulting in few being declined. Further research is required to discover why applications are discontinued and why, despite explicit attempts to meet the needs of M aori, few utilise surrogacy.