For some Canadian women, surrogacy is sacred
by Michael Cook | 25 Jun 2016 |
The motives for commercial surrogacy may seem relatively straightforward: woman does difficult and risky job; client hands over cash. But motivating women who are not closely related to a client couple for altruistic surrogacy seems more challenging.
Is a Canadian service called Sacred Surrogacy the way of the future in countries where commercial surrogacy is banned? Leia Swanberg, the CEO of Canadian Fertility Consulting, has created a program which draws upon shamanistic rites and fertility goddess worship to motivate her surrogates. Her four-week on-line course guides participants through their “surrogate journey in a sacred and beautiful way”. It includes sacred crystal essence, “crystal water to raise your surrogacy pregnancy vibration”, ayurvedic recipes, almond milk & honey ceremonial bath,” understanding your sacred milk” and fear release.
“Sacred surrogacy” offers quite a different way of looking at gestation. Rather than a commercial transaction, it is a participation in a sisterhood of fecund women:
- See more at: http://www.bioedge.org/bioethics/for-some-canadian-women-surrogacy-is-sacred/11938#sthash.L9VaGYwE.dpufIs a Canadian service called Sacred Surrogacy the way of the future in countries where commercial surrogacy is banned? Leia Swanberg, the CEO of Canadian Fertility Consulting, has created a program which draws upon shamanistic rites and fertility goddess worship to motivate her surrogates. Her four-week on-line course guides participants through their “surrogate journey in a sacred and beautiful way”. It includes sacred crystal essence, “crystal water to raise your surrogacy pregnancy vibration”, ayurvedic recipes, almond milk & honey ceremonial bath,” understanding your sacred milk” and fear release.
“Sacred surrogacy” offers quite a different way of looking at gestation. Rather than a commercial transaction, it is a participation in a sisterhood of fecund women:
A Surrogate is a woman who shares of herself by giving the ultimate gift of parenthood to another. It is a process in which you will carry a baby for a single, couple, gay, or straight family. You will be blessed as you join a sisterhood of women who will share in this beautiful journey with you.Donors also share in the journey:
“Make no mistake about it, you are a heroine about to change a family’s life forever and that act is a reverent one, and should be noted as such. We have created a very special heartwarming mini program for you as you begin this journey, and we are honored to be able to offer you this acknowledgement for your gift of service.”
“What does Brexit mean for bioethics?” is our lead story today. Given that the Leavers were not expected to win and that the pundits have widely different views of the future of the politics and economies of the UK and the EU, it is unwise to be dogmatic on the issue.
However, the question highlights the importance of Britain in the world of bioethics. Britain is the home of utilitarianism, which is the dominant philosophy in bioethical discourse at the moment. The medical and scientific establishment is dominated by a utilitarian mindset which has set the agenda for debates on embryo research, stem cell research and assisted dying around the world. As one cynical writer commented, “when it comes to bioethics, Europe might be better off without Britain”.
There is something in this. Although I am handicapped by a big language barrier, my impression is that from Norway to Italy there is much more depth and diversity in bioethical discourse across the Channel. The Greens and the Christian Churches are much more influential, to say nothing of Continental philosophy, which despises utilitarianism as vacuous and naïve. If England (the pundits all agree that Scotland will secede) loses its biomedical industry to the EU, perhaps utilitarian bioethics will lose some of its funding and its influence. That would be no bad thing, I think.
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Sorry, guys, but BioEdge will be taking a holiday during July. Our next issue will be in the first week of August.
Michael Cook
Editor
BioEdge
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