Wombs for Hire
February 14, 2014
“BREEDERS,” a movie about surrogate motherhood has been released by the Center for Bioethics and Culture. I have not yet watched the movie, which can be rented online for $3.99, but I am certain it is a departure from the extreme shallowness and sentimentality with which the American media addresses this issue. Many countries outlaw surrogacy, even altruistic surrogacy. In America, there are relatively few restrictions and they are at the state level, so they are easy to evade by arranging surrogacy in a friendly state.
Here is a description of the movie:
Surrogacy is fast becoming one of the major issues of the 21st century—celebrities and everyday people are increasingly using surrogates to build their families. But the practice is fraught with complex implications for women, children, and families. What is the impact on the women who serve as surrogates and on the children who are born from surrogacy? In what ways might money complicate things? What about altruistic surrogacy done for a family member or close friend? Is surrogacy a beautiful, loving act or does it simply degrade pregnancy to a service and a baby to a product? Can we find a middle ground? Should we even look for one?
From The Center for Bioethics and Culture, producers of the award-winning Eggsploitation (2010, 2013), and Anonymous Father’s Day (2011), Breeders: A Subclass of Women? explores this important issue, talking with surrogates, physicians, psychologists, and activists across the political and ideological spectrum.
— Comments —
Eric writes:
The surrogacy film was quite impressive; I wholeheartedly recommend paying the $3.99 to rent it.
I found it interesting that as the film ended, they played an audio report on some new pizza research. Are you sure you had nothing to do with this?
Laura writes:
Pizza is everything. It’s the synthesizing principle.
I watched the film too. I hope to have more to say about it later.