Surrogacy: Why Are We Still Not Talking About It?

Imagine wanting a child more than anything in the world, yet knowing your body may never be able to carry one. Now imagine another woman offering her womb to make that dream possible. This is not science fiction. It is surrogacy a real and growing practice yet for many people, it remains a silent and uncomfortable topic.

    Surrogacy has become increasingly visible in global reproductive medicine. Through methods such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), an embryo can be created and carried by a surrogate mother. For some couples, cancer survivors, or same-sex partners, this technology offers hope where biology once imposed limits. In this sense, surrogacy can be seen as an act of generosity and autonomy  a woman choosing to help another build a family

    However, the debate does not end there. Critics argue that commercial surrogacy risks transforming pregnancy into a transaction. In economically vulnerable communities, financial pressure may blur the line between free choice and necessity. Ethical concerns also emerge around motherhood, identity, and the rights of the child. In religious contexts, particularly within Islamic jurisprudence, the involvement of a third party in reproduction raises serious questions about lineage and legitimacy.

    So why are we still hesitant to talk about it openly? Perhaps because surrogacy challenges our traditional understanding of family, motherhood, and even the body itself. It forces us to confront uncomfortable questions: Is the womb a sacred space, a personal right, or a service that can be offered? And who ultimately defines what makes a "real" parent?

Surrogacy is not a simple issue of right or wrong. It is a contemporary ethical dilemma that demands thoughtful discussion rather than silence. If reproductive technology continues to advance, avoiding the conversation will not protect society  but engaging in it might.