Lecture 7 - Third party repro Flashcards
What is altruism in the context of third-party reproduction in Australia?
Altruism in third-party reproduction in Australia means that donors and surrogates cannot be paid beyond the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses such as travel or medical costs. This is based on the idea that donation and surrogacy should be considered a gift given out of concern for the well-being and happiness of others
Is commercial donation/surrogacy permitted in Australia?
Commercial donation and surrogacy are illegal in Australia. There are concerns that commercializing these processes could lead to the commodification and exploitation of donors and surrogates.
What is the legal parentage of a child born through artificial insemination or embryo transfer in Australia?
The woman who gives birth is legally presumed to be the parent, along with her de facto or married partner if applicable. In surrogacy arrangements, legal parentage must be transferred from the surrogate to the intended parents after birth.
Describe the two main types of surrogacy.
Traditional Surrogacy: The surrogate is genetically related to the child, conceiving through home insemination.3
Gestational Surrogacy: The surrogate is not genetically related to the child and conceives via embryo transfer.
What is mitochondrial donation, and what does it prevent?
Mitochondrial donation is a process that prevents the transmission of mitochondrial diseases from parent to child. While allowing for a genetic link between the intended mother and child, it involves using mitochondria from a healthy donor. Faulty mitochondria can lead to various health issues like poor growth, developmental delays, and muscle weakness.
What are the barriers to accessing gamete donation and surrogacy in Australia?
here are several legal, financial, and social barriers to accessing these services in Australia.5
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Legal: Laws regarding surrogacy vary from state to state, creating inconsistencies and complexities.6 Medicare rebates are not available for surrogacy arrangements, and same-sex couples and single individuals are excluded because they lack a medical diagnosis of infertility.7
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Financial: Third-party reproduction can be very expensive, particularly surrogacy.1
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Social: Social stigma can still be associated with third-party reproduction, and finding suitable donors or surrogates can be challenging.
What does the Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve’s Law) Act 2022 allow?
This law permits the creation of embryos that contain genetic material from more than two people, enabling mitochondrial donation. It uses a two-stage approach, starting with a pilot study to determine safety, efficacy, and feasibility before moving to clinical practice
