Becoming a surrogate online

Abstract

"“The development of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) over the past several decades has enabled infertile couples to fulfill their desire to have children. Surrogacy has been the most contentious use of ARTs. The use of ARTs in general and surrogacy in particular has been increasing in Asian countries during the past two decades, and commercial surrogacy is being practiced in Thailand. This study explores this new form of surrogacy, which we call “message board surrogacy,” in Thailand. This article addresses the following questions based on interviews conducted with Thai women who were seeking surrogacy arrangements through online message boards: Who are the prospective surrogates? What are their motivations? What are their views about surrogacy? We then discuss the costs and benefits of this form of surrogacy compared with those of organized and institutionalized commercial surrogacy and address the public policy issues this practice raises"