A recent controversy erupted across Taiwan’s social media when a gay couple shared their surrogacy journey in the US. Their comments, describing how they chose the “most beautiful and tallest Russian woman” to carry their child, provoked public outrage. Many criticized them for treating the surrogate mother as nothing more than a tool. This incident highlights the complexity surrounding surrogacy practices worldwide.
Surrogacy involves a woman agreeing to carry and deliver a baby for another person or a couple. Supporters argue that it represents reproductive autonomy and personal freedom. For infertile individuals and couples, single people, and same-sex partners, surrogacy offers a precious chance to have biological children they otherwise couldn’t. Some also view commercial surrogacy as a win-win situation, in which women are financially compensated for voluntary participation and are covered by clear legal protections.
However, critics raise significant concerns about exploitation. The substantial costs of surrogacy typically limit access to wealthy clients, which transfers health risks associated with pregnancy to economically vulnerable women. Furthermore, with in vitro fertilization success rates hovering around just 17%, surrogates are left to shoulder the considerable risks of miscarriage and other medical complications. India, once a popular surrogacy destination, banned commercial surrogacy in 2021 following reports of surrogate mothers dying under exploitative conditions. Beyond concerns about bodily autonomy, opponents argue that treating childbearing as a business raises ethical questions about turning women’s bodies and children into commodities.
Photo: Freepik 照片：Freepik
Different nations have approached surrogacy from varied perspectives. France and Germany prohibit the practice, deeming it harmful to women’s dignity. In contrast, the UK permits only altruistic surrogacy, framing it as a gift between women. Meanwhile, Russia, Ukraine, and certain US states allow commercial surrogacy, viewing it as an expression of female independence. Such conflicting stances make surrogacy a highly controversial issue that requires careful consideration across cultural, legal, and moral dimensions.
最近，一對男同志伴侶在社群媒體上分享他們在美國的代孕經歷，在臺灣社群媒體上爆發了一場爭議。他們描述如何選擇了「最漂亮、身高最高的俄羅斯女性」作為代理孕母的言論，激起了公眾的憤怒。許多人批評他們將代理孕母視為單純的工具。這一事件凸顯了全球代孕做法的複雜性。
代孕是指一名女性同意為另一個人或一對伴侶懷孕並生下孩子。支持者認為，這代表了生育自主權和個人自由。對於不孕的個人和伴侶、單身人士以及同性伴侶來說，代孕提供了一個珍貴的機會，讓他們能夠擁有原本無法擁有的親生子女。一些人還將商業代孕視為雙贏的局面，代孕女性自願參與並獲得經濟補償，同時受到明確的法律保護。
然而，批評者提出了關於剝削的重大擔憂。代孕的高昂費用通常限制了只有富裕客戶才能負擔，這使得懷孕的健康風險轉嫁給經濟弱勢的女性。此外，體外人工受孕成功率僅在 17% 左右徘徊，代理孕母需承擔流產和其他醫療併發症的龐大風險。印度曾是熱門的代孕目的地，但在有報導指出代理孕母在剝削性條件下死亡後，於西元 2021 年禁止了商業代孕。除了對身體自主權的擔憂外，反對者認為將生育視為商業行為引發了有關將女性身體和兒童商品化的倫理問題。
不同國家對代孕採取了不同的立場。法國和德國禁止代孕，認為它有損女性尊嚴。相比之下，英國只允許利他型代孕，將其稱為女性之間的禮物。同時，俄羅斯、烏克蘭和美國某些州允許商業代孕，視其為女性獨立的表現。如此相互矛盾的立場使得代孕成為一個高度爭議的問題，需要在文化、法律和道德層面進行謹慎考量。
MORE INFORMATION
surrogacy n. 代孕
surrogate (mother) n. 代理孕母
reproductive adj. 生育的；生殖的
autonomy n. 自主權
infertile adj. 不孕的
exploitation n. 剝削
in vitro fertilization 體外人工受孕
miscarriage n. 流產
complication n. 併發症
exploitative adj. 剝削的；榨取的
childbearing n. 分娩；生孩子
altruistic adj. 利他的
（文章中的利他型代孕指的是不收取任何金錢報酬的代孕）
KEY VOCABULARY
1. erupt vi. 突然發生；爆發
Protests erupted across the city after workers learned about the company’s unfair layoff policies. 工人們得知公司不公平的解雇政策後，全市突然爆發了抗議活動。
2. provoke vt. 激起；激怒
The host’s rude comments provoked a strong reaction from the audience during the live show. 主持人無禮的言論在現場節目中激起觀眾的強烈反應。
3. outrage n. 憤慨；暴行
The news of the animal abuse case caused public outrage across the country.
虐待動物事件的新聞引起全國民眾的憤怒。
4. biological adj. 親生的；生物的
Although Lisa was raised by adoptive parents, she later met her biological mother.
雖然麗莎是由養父母撫養長大，但她後來見到了親生母親。
5. hover vi. 徘徊；盤旋
Global supply shortages have kept oil prices hovering near their highest levels in months.
由於全球供應短缺，石油價格一直在數月來的最高水平附近徘徊。
6. bodily adj. 身體的
The yoga instructor emphasized the importance of listening to your bodily sensations during practice.
瑜伽教練強調在練習過程中傾聽身體感覺的重要性。
7. opponent n. 反對者；對手
As an opponent of the proposed law, Wendy organized peaceful protests to raise public awareness.
作為這項法律提案的反對者，溫蒂組織了和平抗議來提高公眾意識。
8. deem vt. 視為；認為
The committee deemed the proposal too risky and decided to reject it after careful consideration. 委員會認為該提案風險太大，經過仔細考慮後決定拒絕。
9. dimension n. 層面；方面
Learning a new language adds a different dimension to your understanding of culture. 學習新語言為你對文化的理解增添了不同的層面。
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