Skip to main content

Misconception: Genetic screening and modification are common in surrogacy pregnancies.



Picture this scenario for a moment—Sarah, a successful corporate executive, is wandering through her spacious home in the gleaning Los Angeles suburbs. What catches your attention isn’t the grandeur of her residence or the impeccable aesthetics of her designer furniture but the agonizing emptiness disrupting the perfect harmony of the dwelling. Sarah is yearning to experience motherhood via gestational surrogacy, however, heeding the rife discussions around genetic selection and modification, she is fretful.


Yet, the idea that genetic screening and modification commonly percolate the world of surrogacy is largely a myth -- a misunderstanding that amplifies within the echo chambers of popular media, often bereft of empirical backing. 


To evaluate the components of this misconception, it’s critical to delineate the terms 'genetic screening' and 'genetic modification.' The former involves tests to detect potential genetic disorders in embryos before implantation, while the latter, still a budding and contentious field, refers to altering the DNA of embryos—a notion that engenders ethical dilemmas and stringent regulations.


When we delve into the historical roots of surrogacy, we find that it emerged as a solution for mothers who are unable to either conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. Nowhere in the origins of this practice was there room for genetically selecting or modifying these babies; instead, it centered squarely on providing biological offspring to couples.


According to a 2019 study published in 'Reproductive BioMedicine Online', only about 5% of couples opting for in-vitro fertilization (IVF), which includes surrogacy, resort to genetic screening – primarily those with a history of genetic disorders. Genetic modification, meanwhile, stands at the threshold of legality and ethicality globally, with almost no cases reported in connection with surrogacy.


Leaning on data puts matters in perspective but our intellectual curiosity extends beyond pure numerals. Let's delve into why the reality is so different from the misconception.


Firstly, cost is a considerable factor. From hiring gestational carriers to the IVF process itself, surrogacy demands substantial financial resources that most couples have likely budgeted meticulously. The price tag of genetic screening or potential modification further escalates these costs, placing it beyond the reach of many.


Secondly, the roadblocks strewn by legality and ethics cannot be ignored. Countries with progressive fertility treatments like the United Kingdom rarely permit genetic modification, and only allow genetic screening under specific conditions such as high risk of genetic disorders. 


Lastly, considerations of morality also play roles. Many potential parents and surrogates share reservations about ‘playing God’ by altering or selecting desirable traits. These attitudes are reflected in a study from the 'American Journal of Human Genetics', which found that over 70% of Americans consider genetic modification, even for increasing intelligence or physical attributes, to be crossing a line.


What can Sarah and others in her predicament infer from this? 


For starters, the decision to opt for surrogacy shouldn't be mired in the misunderstanding that genetic screening and modification are pervasive in this sphere. Also, individuals should acquaint themselves with various facets of surrogacy, reminding themselves that this practice's essence lies in fulfilling familial dreams, not engineering 'perfect babies'.


While the emergence of procedures like genetic screening provides options to counter potential hereditary concerns, the rarity of their occurrences confirms they are not the norm in surrogacy. The prospect of genetic modification, teetering on the edge of current scientific reality, remains more within the pages of speculative fiction than actual practice.


Ultimately, it is essential to focus on the ground realities rather than be swayed by misconceptions. As prospective parents, a clear understanding of surrogacy - including the infrequent use of genetic processes - can help pave the path to a less anxious, more fulfilling journey towards parenthood.

Continue navigating your individual journey to parenthood, cautiously averting the labyrinths of misinformation, and embracing the goal - not imagined notions of designer babies, but the very real, very beautiful possibility of extending one's family.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Misconception: Same-sex couples face more legal hurdles in surrogacy than heterosexual couples.

Introduction It was a cold December morning when Maria handed over the newborn baby to the eagerly waiting couple, Joe and Sam. This was not Maria’s own child; she was a surrogate, and the parents were not the conventional couple you might envision. Joe and Sam were a loving, committed same-sex couple. They had turned to surrogacy under the weighty burden of a misleading perception, that as a same-sex couple, adoption would be a legal maze, much more onerous than for heterosexual counterparts. Context and Background This anecdote captures the dilemma faced by many same-sex couples who want to start a family. Joe and Sam, like many others, had set sail in the sea of surrogacy, driven by a widely held notion that same-sex couples face more substantial legal barriers in surrogacy than heterosexual couples. However, does this conventional wisdom hold water when we delve into solid research and hear from the experts? For a start, let's rewind a bit and clarify what we mean by surrogacy.
Post a Comment
Read more

A SIMPLE GUIDE ON BECOMING A SURROGATE: 10 KEY STEPS FOR PROSPECTIVE SURROGATES

Choosing to become a surrogate is a deeply fulfilling journey which contributes in a meaningful way to the lives of others. Wherever you are located, be it Los Angeles, Boston, or a small town in between, it’s crucial to conduct your research and connect with a surrogacy agency that resonates with your expectations and comfort levels. There are multiple options out there and your physical location does not limit your choices. For those who aim to venture deeper into the understanding of surrogacy and are contemplating becoming a surrogate, here are the ten key steps integral to the surrogacy process. 1. DECIPHERING THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SURROGATE MOTHERS Potential surrogates must meet specific qualifications and requirements to ensure their capability and readiness to undertake surrogacy. It’s indeed a beautiful act of giving, deserving parents expecting nothing less than the mental, emotional, and physical fitness from their potential surrogate. The best starting point would be
Post a Comment
Read more

Misconception: Surrogates face long-term psychological trauma post-delivery.

Nancy, a soft-spoken woman in her mid-thirties from California, recently made an unusual gift, one that some might consider the greatest gift of all - she gave birth to a child for a couple she barely knew. She was a gestational surrogate. Nancy was carefully screened, her psychological and physical wellbeing scrutinized before she was declared fit. A few months after the delivery, she met me for coffee: radiant, genial, and exhibiting no signs of distress, tearing the age-old tapestry of psychological trauma associated with surrogacy. Our meeting set the stage for a deeper inquiry into the commonly perceived notion: A surrogate mother is destined to suffer long-term psychological trauma post-delivery. But data and research suggest the narrative might not run that dark and deep. A growing number of women, like Nancy, are venturing into surrogacy arrangements, opening their bodies and lives to create families for others. The public narrative - often spurred by dramatic film portrayals a
Post a Comment
Read more