A study of surrogacy process in Iran law and Imamia Fiqh with a brief look at international law
Keywords:
Artificial Inoculation, Surrogacy, Weaknesses and Strengths, Cultural Limitations, Legal Limitations, Surrogate Uterus from Religion's View & International LawAbstract
Nowadays, broad developments in the area of reproduction have significantly made young sterile pairs hopeful. Notably, aspiration to have a child is a universal one and parenthood is one of the most critical stages in life. One modern medical innovation used in the treatment of infertility and sterilization is surrogacy process. In accordance with surrogacy contract, a woman gives consent to bear an embryo generated by combination of ovum and sperm of a pair and deliver the infant to them following giving birth. The studies indicate that it is better to choose surrogate mother among relatives, close friends and acquaintances. This could help pair reduce many problems related to the surrogacy. The main parties of this critical agreement include sterile pair and surrogate mother who give formal consent to bear the uterus. In accordance with relativity principle of contracts, the consequences of surrogacy contract must be limited to applicant pair and surrogate mother. Contractual responsibility stipulates that there must be a proper and legal contract between the person damaged and the main reason of damage, and damage may be done due to violation of surrogacy contract. Nowadays, contemporary Imamia jurists have different views on the validity of this contract and some jurists consider surrogacy as a legal act and some condemn it. Iranian lawyers also have different views; some of them regard this contract valid and some other condemns it due to its incompatibility with public order. Also, to validate surrogacy law, it is not sufficient to only resort to Article 10 of Civil Law (principle of parties intention and freedom of contracts). This is because entire contract cannot be determined by the intention of parties and some of its consequences are binding and must be formulated by official authorities. It appears that by formulating rules and formation of a specialized committee to investigate sterile cases with surrogate uterus, it is possible to avoid its negative consequences.
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