Natalie writes for the Guardian about surrogacy reform, altruism and payments to surrogates

Our director Natalie Gamble was asked to write an opinion editorial for the Guardian, explaining why we think the law needs to change to support surrogates properly – including their right to be openly compensated for their time and effort.  As Natalie says, surrogacy isn’t about the money, but the law must change to benefit women.  Natalie says:

“What we need is transparency, and acceptance that there is nothing wrong with surrogates being compensated beyond their out-of-pocket expenses. Surrogates are amazing women who selflessly give up a year or more of their lives to help someone else have a family. It is not unreasonable for that to be acknowledged financially. Liberalising the law will not mean that surrogates have to be compensated, and those individuals and organisations who are passionate about sticking to an expenses framework can do so. But there should also be the freedom to compensate without having to hide or fudge it.

We also need more understanding about surrogacy. Surrogates understandably don’t want to be painted as motivated by money, since the truth is that they aren’t. Altruism is always the primary motivator for a process that requires such enormous effort and commitment. Surrogates do this because they want to help create a family rather than to make money, even if there is also an element of compensation. We need to keep educating people about that.”

You can read Natalie’s piece in full here.