Be It Resolved: The Prohibition on Payment for Surrogacy and Gametes in Canada Should be Repealed

Part of the Mary and Philip Seeman Health Law, Policy and Ethics Seminar Series

In 2004, the Canadian federal government enacted the Assisted Human Reproduction Act. An early constitutional challenge by Quebec resulted in the removal of many key components of that federal legislation. What remains of the legislation includes a prohibition against the commercialization of gametes and surrogacy.

Academic and investigative reports indicate that commercial sale of gametes and commercial surrogacy occurs within Canada and abroad, even though many countries prohibit, like Canada, commercial surrogacy or commercial sale of gametes.

During this event, two speakers will debate whether the current prohibition against the commercialization of gametes and surrogacy is required and/or justified. They will extensively engage with the audience on these issues.

Thus, be it resolved: “The prohibition on payment for surrogacy and gametes in Canada should be repealed.”

Arguing in favour: Vida Panich, Associate Professor, Carleton University’s Department of Philosophy

Arguing against: Françoise Baylis, University Research Professor, Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine

Register for the full day conference Regulating Creation and the Assisted Human Reproduction Act on Friday November 23 –  regulatingcreation.eventbrite.ca