Chania The business of fertility – egg donation and surrogacy in Europe DW Documentary -

Summary

In Germany, where surrogacy and egg donation are illegal, many couples seeking to have children turn to fertility clinics abroad. The video follows a journalist's investigation into surrogacy in Crete, Greece, where surrogates are compensated significantly, with the total cost ranging between 78,000-85,000 Euros. Although surrogates are primarily motivated by money, Greek law ensures parental rights for intended parents. The documentary highlights the ethical concerns surrounding surrogacy as a commercial enterprise, revealing both the financial motivations involved and the moral dilemmas posed by the practice.

Takeaways

• 😀 One in six couples in Germany struggle with infertility, leading many to seek help abroad due to strict surrogacy laws in Germany.
• 😔 Surrogacy and egg donation are illegal in Germany, causing couples to explore fertility options in other countries.
• 🇬🇷 Greece has become a destination for reproductive tourism, offering surrogacy services with a legal framework that ensures parental rights for intended parents.
• 💰 The cost of surrogacy in Greece ranges from 78,000 to 85,000 Euros, with a significant portion going to the surrogate mother (20,000-25,000 Euros).
• 💵 The surrogate mother receives monthly payments of up to 1,000 Euros, plus an additional 10,000 to 15,000 Euros upon the baby’s birth.
• 💬 Some medical professionals in Greece openly acknowledge that surrogates are primarily motivated by financial compensation.
• 😳 Ethical concerns arise as surrogacy in Greece is seen by some as exploiting vulnerable women for financial gain, contrary to human dignity and morality.
• 🏛️ The Vice President of Greece’s National Authority for Assisted Reproduction, Katarina Fontadaki, expresses concern over the commercialization of surrogacy in the country.
• 💸 The significant fees associated with surrogacy in Greece (up to 85,000 Euros) are seen as excessive by some experts in the field.
• 🔍 The video raises questions about the ethics and potential exploitation involved in the surrogacy industry, particularly in reproductive tourism destinations like Greece.

Q & A

Why are many couples in Germany unable to have children?

One in six couples in Germany face infertility issues, making it difficult for them to have children.

What legal challenges do couples in Germany face when considering surrogacy?

Surrogacy, as well as the use of donor eggs, is illegal in Germany, which forces many couples to seek help abroad.

Why do couples turn to Greece for surrogacy?

Greece offers a legal advantage for couples using surrogacy, as Greek law guarantees parental rights to parents before the pregnancy begins.

What was the cost of surrogacy mentioned in the transcript?

The cost of surrogacy in Greece for the couple in the transcript would range between 78,000 and 85,000 Euros.

What does the surrogate in Greece receive for her involvement?

The surrogate receives 20,000 to 25,000 Euros for her services, plus an additional 10,000 to 15,000 Euros upon the birth of the child.

How does the fertility clinic describe the surrogate’s motivation?

The fertility clinic describes the surrogate's motivation as financial, stating that she does it for the money and suggests no emotional bond should be formed with her.

How did the Greek Vice President of the National Authority of Assisted Reproduction react to the claims of high payments to surrogates?

The Vice President, Katarina Fontadaki, was shocked by the claims and insisted that payments should not exceed 10,000 to 20,000 Euros, calling higher sums immoral and exploitative.

What does Katarina Fontadaki say about the legality of payments to surrogates in Greece?

Fontadaki states that payments to surrogates of 10,000 to 20,000 Euros are legal, but anything beyond that, such as 30,000 Euros, would be a violation of human dignity and morality.

How did the reporter feel about the situation they encountered in Greece?

The reporter felt shocked and disturbed by the commercialization of surrogacy, where clinics treated the process as a business and exploited prospective parents.

What was the overall issue raised about reproductive tourism in Greece?

The script raises concerns about how reproductive tourism in Greece has led to the exploitation of both surrogates and prospective parents, turning surrogacy into a business rather than a regulated service.