Case Study: Surrogate Mother

Surrogate Mother: n: a woman who bears a child for another person; one who inspires hope sees the good in all and changes another’s life forever. (Quote/Definition taken from pinterest.com)

The case presented was another controversial battle between surrogacy and parental rights and it was hard to actually internalize every detail that was happening in the situation. I went back and forth, going into every piece of helpful information that may guide me to decide on a possible solution to a very sensitive issue. I even searched for the Church’s perspective just to make sure that my personal opinion does not over power what was legal and ethical through the eyes of the Father because I cannot deny the fact that what ever solution I might come up with, I still have to act in the same way
For this reason, normative ethics can be a guide in evaluating the matter at hand, which is dependent on the value, action and virtue theories. The problem with using such theories is the basis of what is morally acceptable. To what extent will an action be morally right or morally wrong? As was mentioned earlier, Ms. Whitehead had no say on the baby after its birth. Base on the action and virtue theory, however, it is ethical for her to gain custody on the child, as she is the bearer and giving the full privilege is an action that is morally praiseworthy, it does good to the mother (beneficence) and does not harm anybody (maleficence). It may not be in favor for the Sterns, but letting Ms. Whitehead keep the baby does no harm to them and it presents a good action to not separate a child to the person who gave them life. The consequence that is clearly favorable is that the Sterns leave the baby to Whitehead. Yes, they have contractual commitments but by value theory, keeping a mother away to her child will never be correct, it will never be