Braverman, Jennifer Anne
(2022)
Ethical Decision-Making Regarding Termination in Gestational Carrier Pregnancies.
Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
In a typical pregnancy, the pregnant person is the sole decision-maker regarding pregnancy termination. However, in a pregnancy involving a gestational carrier, both the gestational carrier and the intended parents may assert that they ought to have the authority to make decisions regarding pregnancy termination. Fundamentally, gestational surrogacy relies on promises made between gestational carriers and intended parents. These promises create ethical obligations, and as a result, there are circumstances in which the gestational carrier ought to make decisions regarding termination that are in line with the wishes of the intended parents, rather than her own wishes.
Nevertheless, there is a distinction to be made regarding what the gestational surrogate ought to do and what others may compel her to do. Ultimately, the intended parents do not have a right to authorize or refuse termination against the wishes of the gestational carrier. The gestational carrier’s right to bodily autonomy as well as the ethical obligations of third-party medical providers results in a conclusion that the gestational carrier ultimately holds decision-making authority regarding pregnancy termination. Thus, while there are circumstances under which the gestational carrier ought not to exercise her right to make her own decisions regarding pregnancy termination, she always retains that right. Implications of these conclusions for gestational carrier contracts and alternative approaches for avoiding conflict are explored.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
13 August 2022 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
20 July 2022 |
| Approval Date: |
11 November 2024 |
| Submission Date: |
21 July 2022 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
79 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Bioethics |
| Degree: |
MA - Master of Arts |
| Thesis Type: |
Master's Thesis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Ethics, Gestational Carrier, Surrogacy, Abortion, Medical Decision Making, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Termination |
| Date Deposited: |
11 Nov 2024 18:50 |
| Last Modified: |
11 Nov 2024 20:46 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/43338 |
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