Ethical Council: Danish single men should not have right to surrogate mother

Commercial use of female bodies is ethically problematic, believes expert

Lucie Rychla

The government’s ethical council (Det Etiske Råd) believes single Danish men should not be entitled to a surrogate mother.

In Denmark, it is currently illegal to pay a woman to bear someone else’s child as it is illegal to facilitate such services for others.

Breaking the law is punishable with a fine or up to 4 months in prison.

However, altruistic surrogacy – when the mother is not paid – is allowed.

READ MORE: Government looking into easing ban on double fertility donation

Trading female bodies
According to Thomas Ploug, a member of the council, the commercial use of woman’s body to carry someone else’s baby is ethically problematic and may have psycho-social consequences for both the mother and the baby.

“[Commercial surrogacy] can impart completely wrong views on women as we would trade the female body,” Ploug told DR.

“And secondly, women would perhaps expose themselves to something they do not want to, because of economic distress.”

READ MORE: Gay couple adopts child from abroad for the first time

Not a human right
Ploug also argues the state does not have an obligation to help men have children at any price, since having children is not a human right.

He does not believe it is an equal opportunity problem either as getting an egg or sperm donation is not the same as having to carry a baby for nine months.

But if single men should demand the same rights in regards to fertility treatment, then single women should lose the right to have children too, suggests Ploug.

Stine Willum Adrian, a PhD in techno-anthropology at Aalborg University, notes that other avenues could be taken to solve the issue.

For instance, some people have successfully formed alternative family constellations, where friends decide to have children together.

READ MORE: The male abortion: no clinic, no contributions, no connection

Fewer people having kids
In Denmark, nearly 20 percent of men at the age of 50 do not have children, a steep increase compared to 1991 when 13.6 percent of 50-year old men were childless.

The percentage of childless women at the age of 50 has also grown significantly from 8.2 in 1991 to 12.2 in 2016.

The Danish Fertility Society estimates that last year about 580 babies were conceived by women without a partner, while the number was 478 in 2014.

TOP STORIES

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

  • Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Two months ago, the Danish PM announced that military equipment should be purchased in a hurry. The first plans for the sea are now ready. Additional plans for warships will follow this summer.

  • International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs