As someone deeply invested in the future of surrogacy, I despaired watching the recent Al Jazeera investigation, The Philippines: Wombs for Hire. The documentary sheds light on a dark reality that many would prefer to ignore: the unchecked exploitation of women in a system that lacks both legal oversight and ethical guidelines.
The Philippine Surrogacy Crisis: Exploitation and the Need for Legal Oversight
In the Philippines, surrogacy is not explicitly illegal, but it’s also not regulated—meaning there are no protections in place for those involved. This lack of clear legal structure has allowed underground surrogacy clinics to thrive, many of which exploit vulnerable women driven by poverty.
Without contracts, surrogates are left with no legal recourse if anything goes wrong. The documentary shows surrogates subjected to inhumane conditions and even abandoned during pregnancy. The practice of falsifying birth records, with the surrogate replaced by the intended parents, shows the depths to which clinics will descend to circumvent the law. It is heartbreaking to see women in such situations without protection.
Surrogacy, for all its complexities, can be a beautiful path to parenthood—but it can also be rife with ethical dilemmas in such environments. The conditions revealed in the documentary highlight just how dire the situation can be without oversight.
A Call to Reconsider: Don’t Engage in the Philippines
The absence of oversight isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a human one. Surrogates deserve the same level of care and protection as any other worker. Yet in many cases, they are treated as disposable, their needs ignored or minimised. Intended parents, too, are at risk—left to navigate a world with no clear rules, no safeguards, and often, no one to turn to when things go wrong.
If you or someone you know is considering surrogacy in the Philippines, stop and rethink. Please don’t make this choice without speaking to us about safer, more ethical options where the rights and well-being of surrogates and intended parents are respected. The Philippines may seem like an attractive option due to lower costs, but the risks are far too great. There are countries and agencies where ethical standards are not just a promise, but a reality—and where surrogacy is done with the proper protections in place for everyone involved.
Surrogacy should never put anyone in harm’s way. Our mission at Growing Families is to guide you toward destinations and clinics where standards are high and where there is full transparency and legal protection. This is not just about bringing a child into the world—it’s about ensuring the safety, well-being, and dignity of everyone involved. We can help you explore safer alternatives where you won’t have to worry about exploitation or lack of legal recourse.
Growing Families’ Commitment to Ethical Surrogacy Practices
At Growing Families, we believe surrogacy should be a supportive, regulated process—one where all parties are protected, respected, and cared for. But as we’ve seen in the Philippines, the absence of regulation can lead to serious exploitation and harm. This is something we cannot ignore, which is why we committed ourselves to a leadership role in the surrogacy space.
Our Growing Families Advisory Board was created to tackle these very issues—bringing together legal professionals, fertility experts and other leaders to create standards that put the needs of surrogates and intended parents first. Our board advocates for best practice measures to reduce the risk of exploitation. We aim to fill the void left by the absence of global leadership on such issues.
Through the Advisory Board, we ensure that our community is kept informed on which countries are recommended, and which should be avoided due to legal, ethical, or safety concerns. This constant flow of information helps intended parents make informed decisions and is a crucial part of our ongoing effort to raise industry standards.
The Path Forward: Leading with Knowledge and Integrity
Without regulation, surrogacy can be hazardous for everyone involved. But by setting minimum standards and advocating for better global regulation, we can prevent future harm and provide clarity for intended parents and surrogates alike.
We can’t change everything overnight, but with the support of our Advisory Board, we can start creating the change that’s needed now.
If you’d like to understand more about the issues discussed in the documentary, watch the full investigation on YouTube. It’s a sobering look at the industry, but also a call to action for all of us who care about the future of surrogacy.
If you or someone you know is considering surrogacy in the Philippines, please reach out to us. We are here to guide you toward safe, ethical options that meet the highest standards of care and legal protection. Our team, with the help of our Advisory Board, can ensure your journey is built on a foundation of support, respect, and transparency. Contact us today to explore the best paths forward for your family.