Egg Donor & Surrogacy Law Blog : Surrogacy and Egg Donation Lawyer & Attorney : Theresa Erickson : Erickson Law Firm : Practicing Reproductive and Gestational Carrier Law

Good Morning and TGIF to all!   Hope you are well.   Morning radio show starts in about an hour, so here are your Friday Legal Updates.  They are mostly international stories with a federal law suit just filed also added.  Enjoy!

United States - Federal Law Suit Filed to block federally funded human embryo reserach.  "A group of plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to "enjoin and overturn the controversial guidelines for public funding of embryonic stem cell research that the National Institutes of Health issued on July 7, 2009," according to a press statement...."

It will be interesting to watch this suit play out.  What are your thoughts on stem cell research?

UK - Two directors of a fertility company appeared in court yesterday accused of illegally delivering sperm to women by courier.  They are to appear in court next month.  This is a test case under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of "procuring sperm".  They face two years in jail. 

Australia - A couple must battle the courts to adopt their own son.  I blogged on this case already, but I wanted to repost as I really feel for this couple.  Grandma carried her grandson for her daughter.  Apparently, surrogacy law in NSW has not kept up with science. 

Poland - A surrogate mother is fighting for custody of the child that she gave birth to for another couple from Warsaw.  Polish law does not regulate surrogacy, and despite a written agreement, this looks like a battle for this couple with their gestational carrier.

Uruguay - Uruguay is one step closer to becoming the first country in Latin America to permit same-sex couples to adopt children.  Uruguay had authorized same-sex civil unions last year.

New Zealand - Parents of surrogate born daughter battle to bring her home from Thailand.  The couple is heartbroken as the little girl is the daughter of the Thai surrogate in New Zealand, but the couple are her parents in Thailand.  The couple claims to sought legal advice, but this unfortunately looks like another issue with fertility tourism in certain countries.

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Hello, and it is Friday again.  TGIF!  I have included a few interesting, yet informative stories that I think you will find to be thought provoking.  I am also including another link to our upcoming European Conference on Third Party Reproduction in Switzerland.  All are welcome!

Press Release Here and Link on Our Web Page 

Salt Lake City, Utah - the fate of Anthony, who is a boy who has been at the center of a legal battle between his biological mother, a traditional surrogate, his father (intended & biological) and his adoptive parents.  It looks like the justice system has worked this one out for the benefit of Anthony.  What do you think?

New York - New York Stem Cell Research Plan is being bashed relentlessly - many cite that women are being exploited by their eggs being used for research.  The claim is that these eggs are also being fertilized and/or being used for cloning.  Yes, egg donation for any purpose is a serious decision that one should only make after careful deliberation; however, I am on the fence on this one.  Anyone care to educate me on this one?

West Virginia - Lesbian moms can keep foster child - ruling confirmed.  The court was originally against the "untraditional" family; however, it looks as if they are allowing them to maintain custody at this point - although they are unable to adopt as a couple (only one can), as same sex couples are not permitted to do that in WV.  Actual opinion here.

Poland - A thirty two year old Polish woman agreed to be a surrogate mother, changed her mind but feared a legal battle and has since relinquished the child.    This is a scary prospect that we all need to think about before going into any of these arrangements, whether you are the surrogate or the parents.  Know the laws before you proceed!

London/India - As another reminder of preparing before moving forward in this area of family building, a couple from London spent a great deal of time in  India in a lengthy legal battle trying to bring their twins home. 

Another article listed here also provides those interested in surrogacy overseas to be careful, or you may risk losing your children. 

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