Surrogacy and Fertility in Costa Rica

Most couples throughout the world take their fertility for granted. They plan to have their families, and they cannot see any barriers to overcome. Couples afflicted with infertility, however, struggle to make sense of the fact that they cannot have children on their own. This can be devastating to deal with. It is estimated that up to 15% of all couples in Latin America, including Costa Rica, are afflicted with infertility.

The field of medicine that deals with infertility is called Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Reproductive technologies include things like in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination, fertility medication and contraception. International ART laws are very complex. Some of the more conservative countries, like Costa Rica, place restrictions on the options available to infertile couples. Other countries give couples wide latitude to choose which reproductive technology is right for them.

Surrogate parenthood is a popular option for infertile couples. Surrogate parenting is an arrangement in which a woman carries and delivers a child for another couple or person. There are two types of surrogate parenthood, and one of the types is highly controversial and illegal in conservative parts of the world, such as Costa Rica.

Sometimes, the surrogate mother is the child’s biological mother: this is called “traditional surrogacy” Traditional surrogacy has been around throughout all of human history. It is even mentioned in the Bible: when Abraham and Sarah could not conceive, Abraham fathered a child with Hagar, Sara’s maid.

The second type of surrogacy is the topic of hot debate around the world. This type of surrogacy is called “gestational” surrogacy. In this type of surrogacy, the carrier is not related to the child. The embryo is conceived through in vitro fertilization. The surrogate mother then carries the child. Many people in the world, including Costa Rica’sgovernment, say that in vitro fertilization is unnatural and violates the sanctity of life. In Vitro fertilization has been illegal in Costa Ricasince 2000.

While insisting on its Catholic beliefs about reproduction and the sanctity of life, Costa Ricahas come under fire from the rest of the world. One of the unintended results of the ban on in vitro fertilization has been what is called “reproductive tourism:” people simply go to other countries to have the procedure done.

The only Latin American country to ban in vitro fertilization, Costa Rica defends its right to make the procedure illegal. At the same time, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has called on Costa Ricato respect peoples’ reproductive rights, especially with regard to abortion and in vitro fertilization. According to the commission, the right to have a family (by whatever means available) should be upheld. Feminist groups around the world have been among the most vocal opponents of Costa Rica’sreproductive policies.

Infertilityaffects up to 15% of people around the world. It is a problem that can be devastating for couples to deal with. Surrogate parenting remains a popular choice. The ethics and legality of in vitro insemination are debated the world over. Costa Ricadefends its right to govern based on Catholic beliefs about the nature of conception and the sanctity of life.