Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985

The Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985 (c. 49) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that prohibits commercial surrogacy arrangements. It received Royal Assent on 16 July 1985.

Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985

Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to regulate certain activities in connection with arrangements made with a view to women carrying children as surrogate mothers.
Citation	1985 c. 49
Territorial extent	England and Wales Scotland Northern Ireland
Dates
Royal assent	16 July 1985
Other legislation
Amended by	Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990
Status: Amended
Text of the Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985

Overview

The act came about as a response to the birth, on 4 January 1985, of Britain's first commercial surrogate baby amid a widespread public outcry.^[1]

The act was amended by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (so that surrogate mothers can always keep the baby if they change their mind)^[2] and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.

Regulation

From 1996-1998 Margaret Brazier chaired a review of surrogacy arrangements.^[3][4] It made a number of recommendations including that only expenses, including loss of earnings, should be paid to surrogate mothers, and that all surrogacy agencies should be registered with the Department of Health.^[5][6]

See also

• Transnational Reproduction