Alternatives to Infertility

This book should guide all professionals involved in counselling involuntarily childless couples. The author explains the benefits and risks of the options available to infertile couples - adoption, surrogacy, and biotechnical methods for overcoming infertility - and examines the emotional, financial, and other factors that go into the decision-making process. The book includes balanced discussions of the "Baby M" case and the psychological and legal ramifications of surrogacy. In the first half of the book the author explores infertility and its impact from various angles. Given society's strong expectations that individuals will grow up, get married, and have children, how do couples cope when they find out that they are unable to fulfill this expectation? What are the advantages and disadvantages of adoption? Which of the biotechnical approaches developed over the last several decades hold the most promise? In the balance of the book, the question of surrogacy comes to the fore. The author provides informative discussions of the "Baby M" case, the benefits and risks of surrogacy, and psychological and legal perspectives. Appendices present proposed model legislation regarding surrogacy and a list of organizations that work with the infertile.