Marsilius-Symposium
Surrogacy – current developments and interdisciplinary challenges
Friday, April 7 2017, 9-17 h
Surrogacy is forbidden in most European countries, including Germany, and is discussed controversially as a reproductive medical procedure. A central point of this criticism is based on the fear to exploit the surrogate mother, one of the reasons why surrogacy has also been made punishable in the German Embryo Protection Act.
However, the prohibition of surrogacy is challenged by modern medicine and an increased "reproductive tourism", which is also carried out by German couples. By means of in-vitro fertilization, the genetic material of the desired parents as well as eggs and sperm of anonymous donors can be used. In an extreme case, a child might come to have up to five parents at birth: the surrogate mother, the egg donor, the sperm donor, and the two intended parents. The effect on all stakeholders is manifold, and manifests itself at most diverse levels.
Internationally renowned experts from a wide range of disciplines (psychology, law, medicine, ethics, and history) will discuss the consequences for intended parents, surrogate mothers, children, and our society in the Marsilius Arkaden.
Speakers:
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The historical perspective Prof. Dr. Katja Patzel-Mattern, University of Heidelberg |
The sociological and ethical perspective Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Beck-Gernsheim, University of Frankfurt |
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The medical perspective Prof. Dr. Thomas Strowitzki, University of Heidelberg |
The comparative law perspective Prof. Dr. Nina Dethloff, University of Bonn |
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The personal perspective Dr. Regine Meyer-Spendler, Author |
The American law perspective RAin Eliza Hall, K&L Gates LLP, Pittsburgh |
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The psychological perspective Prof. Dr. Susan Golombok, University of Cambridge |
The legal policy perspective MdB RA Dr. Stephan Harbarth, Berlin |
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Institute for Foreign and International Affairs Prof. Dr. Marc-Philippe Weller |
Institute of Medical Psychology Prof. Dr. Beate Ditzen |
Event location: Marsilius-Kolleg – Lecture Hall, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.1, 69120 Heidelberg