A well-known surrogacy attorney in California used her networks and well-financed practice to dupe families into paying over $100,000 for a child based on a fraudulent scenario. Basically, those looking to secure a child were told that a surrogacy arrangement had fallen apart—the intended parents backing out of the arrangement. This was false and a story constructed for fraud.
The question that we keep hearing now is this: “Does this point to the need for additional regulation of surrogacy?” Our feeling is no. Regulation does not necessarily promote good practice.
Two prominent reproductive law attorneys now await sentencing by a US district court after pleading guilty to charges connected with an elaborate surrogacy and baby-selling scheme. What measures will be taken by the fertility industry, policy makers, women’s health advocates and others to ensure the well-being of everyone involved with assisted reproduction practices?
