Mr. Shane Lennon:

The ethical safeguards for the surrogate mother are that there is total legal counsel from the start to the end of the journey; that she has independent counsel, including psychological counsel; that all the agencies involved - and there are surrogacy agencies to take care of the surrogate mother in many countries, such as Canada - have the surrogate mother's interest as the primary interest and the intended parent is second to the surrogate mother throughout the journey; and that the surrogate mother has total control of her own body and pregnancy throughout the pregnancy, including the decision to terminate. That should be her right. I think we are in agreement about that. It is about protecting her interests so she understands from the beginning, before any medical or IVF process starts, that everyone is clear and understanding of the agreement that she is choosing to carry a child on behalf of a couple. That couple will often want a lifetime relationship between that woman and the child, not as a parent or with parental responsibility but as someone significant in that child's life. Everyone would want that.

The ethical safeguards are those regulated, independent organisations such as lawyers, State agencies and psychological counselling, and that should be done throughout.