On Wednesday, October 16th, the Italian Senate took a decisive step by totally banning surrogacy and thus upholding the dignity of human life and the rights of children. The World Youth Alliance applauds Italy on this pivotal decision, which not only reinforces the value of family but also protects the vulnerable in society.
This new law expands on Italy’s previous ban from two decades ago, now expanding the prohibition to include Italians seeking surrogacy arrangements abroad. The Senate voted 84 to 58 in favor of the measure, recognizing the ethical concerns associated with surrogacy.
The practice of surrogacy violates fundamental ethical norms related to the commodification of human life and the potential exploitation of women. By banning this practice, Italy prioritizes the well-being of both children and women. The decision reflects a political consensus based on the fundamental truth that children can never be treated as products to be traded but are unique individuals with inherent rights. It acknowledges the importance of a stable family environment where children can thrive, nurtured by their natural parents whenever possible.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirms this truth by characterizing the law as a “common-sense measure against the commodification of women and children,” stating, “human life cannot be assigned a price.” Similarly, Eugenia Roccella, Italy’s Minister for Equal Opportunities and the Family, asked: “There is a question to which I have never received an answer from jurists or bioethicists: all over the world the buying and selling of a child is a crime. What is the difference with surrogate motherhood? I have never received an answer.”
This legislative action aligns with the proposals given in the World Youth Alliance’s White Paper on Surrogacy, which emphasizes that surrogacy represents the commodification of children and leads to the exploitation of women. The White Papers specifically warns of the “potential for exploitation, as in surrogacy tourism” which is a serious concern and has been banned by a number of “destination” countries, primarily in Asia. Italy is now the first European country to extend the ban on surrogacy through criminal law sanctions being applied to its own citizens hiring surrogate mothers abroad.
Italy’s proactive stance serves as an encouraging model for other nations to consider similar measures. As the WYA White Paper states, “parents struggling with infertility need care and support, but the practice of surrogacy is not an appropriate means of providing that because of the lack of respect for the human dignity of the child and the surrogate.” Solutions for infertility should respect both the natural and good desire of couples to become parents and the rights of children not to be treated like objects. Neither should women be reduced to their reproductive capacities through agreements that function almost as rental agreements for their organs.
While we commend this achievement, we recognize that continued efforts are necessary to promote supportive policies for parents and children. The global dimension of surrogacy, as well as the increasing practice of multi-State surrogacy contracts, raises the need for regional and international collaboration and the development of principles to guide legal norms. We hope this legislative decision adopted by Italy will spark a global conversation about the ethical violations of human dignity brought about by surrogacy and the importance of protecting the rights of children and families. Let us work collectively to build a future that honors the sanctity of life, nurtures the next generation, and upholds the human dignity of every person.