Fact check: What are the medical reasons for choosing surrogacy for pregnancy?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there are several established medical reasons for choosing surrogacy for pregnancy:

• Absence of a uterus - This represents a clear biological inability to carry a pregnancy ^[1]
• Significant structural abnormalities of the reproductive system that prevent pregnancy ^[1]
• Severe medical conditions that make pregnancy dangerous or impossible for the intended mother ^[1]
• Biological impossibility to conceive or bear a child, which particularly applies to same-sex male couples and single men who require both an egg donor and gestational carrier ^[1]

The research confirms that surrogacy serves as an important method of assisted reproductive technology for individuals who would otherwise not be able to produce a child, and this practice has existed in various forms throughout history ^[1]. However, acceptance rates among infertile women remain relatively low, with only approximately 39.7% having a positive attitude towards surrogacy ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question focuses solely on medical reasons, but the analyses reveal several important contextual factors:

Academic and ethical debate exists regarding whether surrogacy should be classified as medically necessary. One source argues that surrogacy is not medically necessary but rather a socio-legal intervention, suggesting that the concept of medical necessity is often misused to justify what may actually be a means to achieve social goals rather than address medical conditions ^[3].

Non-medical motivations also drive surrogacy decisions. Research on gay fathers found that many chose surrogacy because they considered adoption to be less desirable and/or accessible, indicating that social and legal barriers to alternative paths to parenthood influence these decisions ^[4].

Regulatory disagreement exists globally about how surrogacy should be managed due to concerns about exploitation and commodification ^[5]. The European Union's ban on commercial surrogacy creates additional barriers for gay men and male couples seeking biological children ^[6].

Significant risks are associated with surrogacy, including obstetric complications, multiple pregnancies, and potential emotional trauma to the surrogate mother ^[7].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation, as it simply asks for factual information about medical reasons for surrogacy. However, the framing could be considered incomplete because:

• It assumes that medical reasons are the primary or only legitimate justifications for surrogacy
• It doesn't acknowledge the ongoing academic debate about whether surrogacy should be classified as a medical intervention versus a social arrangement ^[3]
• The question doesn't recognize that social and legal factors often intersect with or override purely medical considerations in surrogacy decisions

Stakeholders who benefit from emphasizing medical necessity include fertility clinics, surrogacy agencies, and legal professionals who profit from these arrangements, as medical justification can provide stronger legal and ethical grounds for the practice.