Reproduktion under diskussion - En idéanalys av surrogatmödraskapsdebatten i Sverige

The aim of this master thesis is to examine the Swedish debate on surrogate motherhood between the years of 2008 and 2013. This form of assisted reproduction raises several ethical questions such as the potential risk of exploitation and commodification of women and children. Surrogate motherhood challenges our perception of human reproduction and the traditional concept of the family but it also concerns the right to self-determination and individual autonomy. The theoretical framework draws on the principle of autonomy and communitarianism with the aim of confronting the relationship between individual autonomy and the common good in political decision-making. The theoretical framework also draws on intersectional feminist theory. The thesis explores how arguments in the debate on surrogate motherhood relate to ideas about individual´s right to autonomy, collective social values and feminism. The analysis shows that the debate is constructed around three characters: the surrogate, the child and the prospective parents. Communitarians argue that surrogacy is exploiting the human value and is an unethical method. Most liberals view commercial forms of surrogacy as unethical but advocate on the basis of autonomy and freedom of individuals, for allowing altruistic surrogacy. Using the notion of patriarchy and the gender system feminist stress that surrogacy is exploiting to women