What defines commercial surrogacy?

Commercial surrogacy is defined by the arrangement where a woman is compensated financially for carrying and delivering a baby on behalf of another individual or couple. This arrangement typically involves a legal contract that outlines the rights and obligations of all parties involved, including compensation for the surrogate. The surrogate undertakes the pregnancy with the understanding that she is not the intended parent of the child, who will be handed over to the intended parents upon birth.

Involving financial compensation distinguishes commercial surrogacy from altruistic surrogacy, where the surrogate does not receive any form of payment beyond reimbursable expenses related to the pregnancy. The other options do not capture this critical element of commercial surrogacy. For example, emotional support or familial arrangements without compensation do not constitute a commercial transaction, nor do they involve the specific legal and financial frameworks typical of commercial surrogacy. Donation of an egg is also unrelated, as it pertains to the provision of genetic material rather than the gestational aspect of surrogacy.