How to address the ethics of reproductive travel to developing countries: a comparison of national self-sufficiency and regulated market approaches

One of the areas of concern raised by cross-border reproductive travel
regards the treatment of women who are solicited to provide their ova or
surrogacy services to foreign consumers. This is particularly troublesome in
the context of developing countries where endemic poverty and low standards
for both medical care and informed consent may place these women
at risk of exploitation and harm. We explore two contrasting proposals for
policy development regarding the industry, both of which seek to promote
ethical outcomes and social justice: While one proposal advocates efforts to
minimize cross-border demand for female reproductive resources through
the pursuit of national self-sufficiency, the other defends cross-border trade
as a means for meeting the needs of vulnerable groups. Despite the
conflicting objectives of the proposed strategies, the paper identifies
common values and points of agreement between the two, including the
importance of regulations to safeguard those providing ova or surrogacy
services.