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Surrogacy and Disability: An Overview of the Legal, Regulatory, and Ethical Issues

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl.2383

Keywords:

Assisted reproductive technology; surrogacy; disability; human rights law.

Abstract

This article examines the intersection of surrogacy and disability rights, highlighting its significance in sociolegal studies due to implications for reproductive justice and human rights. The commodification of surrogacy, particularly in the context of ableism, raises ethical and legal concerns for marginalized populations, including persons with disabilities. Despite existing literature, gaps remain regarding the impact of surrogacy on children with disabilities and the legal framework governing these practices. This article conducts a scoping literature review to analyze these issues, revealing a lack of comprehensive legal protection for surrogate mothers and children with disabilities. The findings emphasize the need for clearer legal frameworks and international consensus to safeguard the rights of all parties involved. Ultimately, the article advocates for a more inclusive approach to surrogacy that prioritizes the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, contributing to the discourse of human rights and social justice in reproductive technologies.

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Author Biographies

Adriana Caballero Pérez, PhD student at Maastricht University, NL. DARE Project

Lawyer. Master’s in Sociology (Universidad Nacional de Colombia). Master’s in International Human Rights Law (Lund University). Ph.D. in Law (Maastricht University). University professor and researcher.
Email: accaballerop@gmail.com

Andrés Mauricio Guzmán Rincón, Universidad de Buenos Aires

Lawyer and Master of Law from Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Master’s in Human Rights from Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Ph.D. candidate in Law at Universidad de Buenos Aires.
Tenured professor at the Escuela Superior de Administración Pública (ESAP). Lecturer at the Faculty of Law at Universidad Libre de Colombia. Member of the Research Group on Constitutional and Peace Studies. Leader of the project Courts as Agents of Change: The Impact of Landmark Rulings in Addressing Structural Injustice at Universidad Libre.

Email: andresmauricioguzman@gmail.com

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Published

24-10-2025

How to Cite

Caballero Pérez, A. and Guzmán Rincón, A. M. (2025) “Surrogacy and Disability: An Overview of the Legal, Regulatory, and Ethical Issues”, Oñati Socio-Legal Series. doi: 10.35295/osls.iisl.2383.

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