Immediately since the first appearence of IVF-techniques there have been many critical voices, both regarding the dignity of thus “produced” children, but also the risks and threats for women. Most feminists have had a negative response, fearing that the technique that soon allowed embryo transfers and surrogacy would further exploit women.[1]
Especially the topic of surrogacy has been actively fought against by numerous feminist, among them Alice Schwarzer, a German journalist and publicist, active in the feminist movement since the 1970. Since 2018 she is one of many supporters of an international[2] initiative called “Stoppt Leihmutterschaft” [Stop surrogacy].[3] This initiative is part of the international feminist organization CIAMS (Coalition Internationale pour l’Abolition de la Maternité de Substitution), which includes over 300 NGOs and human-rights organizations worldwide.[4] In 2023, more than 100 scientists and experts from over 75 countries published the “Casablanca Declaration”[5], demanding countries worldwide to ban surrogacy.
[1] Williams, Linda (1986): But what will they mean for women? Feminist Concerns about the New Reproductive Technologies. Online: https://www.criaw-icref.ca/images/userfiles/files/FP6-%20But%20What%20Will%20They%20Mean%20for%20Women-%20Feminist%20Concerns%20for%20the%20new%20reproductive%20technologies.pdf.
[2] CIAMS: https://abolition-ms.org/en/home/.
[3] Stoppt Leihmutterschaft: https://www.stoppt-leihmutterschaft.at/.
[4] https://www.imabe.org/bioethikaktuell/einzelansicht/baby-business-der-krieg-in-der-ukraine-draengt-die-leihmutterschaft-auf-neue-maerkte
[5] Casablanca Declaration: https://declaration-surrogacy-casablanca.org/.