QUESTIONS

The following questions were asked in the Commission's sample survey on surrogate motherhood. The questions as reproduced here contain the notes to the personnel conducting the interviews. The Commission retains copyright in the questions.

Ask Everyone:

29a. Next about surrogate motherhood for couples who, because of medical problems, can't have children. A surrogate mother is a woman who agrees to become pregnant, bear a child, and hand that child over to a married couple to be brought up as-their own. The surrogate mother usually becomes pregnant by artificial insemination with sperm from the husband. (PAUSE) Looking at the top half of the next green card, which one line best describes your opinion of surrogate motherhood? Just say the number after the line.

 

Approve of surrogate motherhood	1
Do not object to surrogate motherhood	2
Object to surrogate motherhood	3
Need to know more	4
No opinion/can't say	5
Comment:

 

29b. Thinking now about payment to the surrogate mother (PAUSE). In your opinion, which one line on the bottom half of the green card best describes how the surrogate mother should be paid. Just say the number after the line.

 

No payment at all	6
Payment for her medical expenses only	7
Payment for her medical expenses plus a fee agreed with the couple	8
Can't say	9

 

29c. Next about who should be allowed to arrange a surrogate motherhood agreement. I'm going to read out some different people and organisations. Please tell me for each whether they should or should not be allowed to arrange a surrogate motherhood agreement. First, the parties themselves, that is the surrogate mother and the couple - should hey be allowed to make the arrangement, or not?

Circle for “Yes” or “No” in the first line below.
 

	Yes	No	Can’t Say
The parties themselves	1	2	3
The parties with the approval of a government agency	1	2	3
Government agencies	1	2	3
Non-profit agencies such as welfare organisations or the branch of a hospital	1	2	3
Individuals and agencies who charge commercial fees, and intend to make a profit	1	2	3

 
29d. And (SAY NEXT LINE) should they be allowed to arrange a surrogate motherhood arrangement, or not?

Circle for “Yes” or “No” in next line above.

Repeat 29d for each of-her line above.

29e. Next about a surrogate mother, who after agreeing to give up the child at birth, changes her mind and wants to keep the child. In your opinion, who should have first claim for the child - the surrogate mother, the married couple or should a court decide?

 

Surrogate mother	1
Couple	2
Court	3
Depends	4
Can't say	5
Comment:

 
29f. After the child becomes an adult, should the child be allowed to find out who the surrogate mother was?

 

Yes	1
No	2
Can't say	3

 
29g. Looking at the next yellow card which lists different types of people. (PAUSE In your opinion which, if any, of those people should be forbidden from making a surrogate motherhood arrangement? Just say the number after each.

Who else? Anyone else?

Forbidden from making a surrogate motherhood arrangement:

 

A single woman	9
A single man	8
People who already have children	7
A female homosexual couple in a stable domestic relationship	6
A male homosexual couple in a stable domestic relationship	5
An unmarried couple living in a stable domestic relationship	4
An elderly couple	3
People under 18	2
People who couldn't financially support a child	1
Some other (Please describe)
None	X
Can't say	V

 
29h. Next about a woman who is capable of bearing a child but, for reasons of convenience, would prefer a surrogate mother to bear the child for her. Looking at the next blue card. For which, if any, of those reasons would you approve of a surrogate mother being used. Just say the number after the reason.

Any others?

 

Occupation eg Where a woman does not want to take time off from her career during the pregnancy	1
Lifestyle eg Where a woman or couple with an active sport or social life don't want to change their lifestyle during pregnancy	2
Cosmetic reasons eg concern about appearance during and after the pregnancy	3
None	X
Can't say	V

 

29i. Looking at the next pink card, which one line best describes you and your family. Just say the number after the line.

 

I have had fertility problems	1
My wife/husband/partner has had fertility problems	2
Someone in my family has had fertility problems	3
A friend, or someone I know, has had fertility problems	4
I don't know anyone who has had fertility problems	5
Can't say	V
Comment: