Surrogacy is the act of a woman carrying a pregnancy on behalf of another person or couple. It is not a new concept. What we can say is that there is now a difference between how it is done before and the practices now.
While today’s technology has transformed how it’s done, the core idea of one woman giving birth for another has ancient roots.
However, over time, it has evolved from a solution driven by compassion or necessity into an increasingly commercialised and sometimes controversial industry.
Take Abram and Sarai’s case for instance, Sarah offered her maid, to her husband to bear a child for them and that is a near case of surrogacy.
Genesis 16:1-4 reads: Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan. So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes.
From Ancient Practice To Modern Business
đź“ś A Brief History Of Surrogacy
1. Surrogacy In Ancient Times
Again, surrogacy dates as far back as biblical times.
>In the book of Genesis 16, we see Sarai (later Sarah) give her maidservant Hagar to her husband Abram (later Abraham) so she could bear a child on her behalf — a form of traditional surrogacy, where the surrogate is also the biological mother.
This type of arrangement was not uncommon in many ancient cultures, especially where infertility was seen as shameful or where lineage was paramount.
🧬 How Surrogacy Evolved
2. The Rise Of Medical Surrogacy
Surrogacy began to take on a modern, more medical form in the 20th century, especially from the 1970s onward, as:
In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) technology advanced
Family structures became more diverse
More couples experienced infertility or same-sex couples (a growing trend) wanted children
In 1985, the world saw its first successful gestational surrogacy — where the surrogate carries a baby that is not biologically hers. This changed the game completely (2).
🧪 How Surrogacy Is Practiced Today
3. Two Main Types Of Surrogacy
âś… Traditional Surrogacy
The surrogate uses her own egg and an artificially insemination happens with the intended father’s sperm. She is the genetic mother.
âś… Gestational Surrogacy
An embryo (created via IVF) is implanted into the surrogate. The child is not genetically related to her.
This is now the most common and legally accepted form of surrogacy worldwide.
🏥 Modern Surrogacy Involves:
Now, things are evolving fast in a fast-paced world and agencies or clinics are beginning to play more role. They match surrogates with intended parents, and it involved medical contracts and legal agreements, with psychological and physical screening for surrogates.
Also, there is compensation (depending on the country) and this is where commercialisation of the entire thing begins.
đź’¸ 4. Surrogacy As A Money-Making Venture
Recently, the Diary Of a Nigerian Girl ruffled feathers when she asserted that with money should could decide not to use her womb and go for this form of childbirth.
This decision did not sit quite well with many people.
While many still see surrogacy as a noble act of helping others, it is increasingly becoming a profitable industry, especially in countries with fewer legal restrictions.
Also, countries with many people living below poverty line like Nigeria is witnessing a growth of this kind of birth decision.
Ladies volunteer for surrogacy to make money from the couple willing to pay for the service.
🔍 Why Surrogacy Now A Business:
âś… High Global Demand
Infertility, delayed childbearing, and same-sex parenting have increased the need for alternative family-building methods.
This is giving impetus to this form of making babies.
âś… Low Regulation In Some Countries
In countries like India, Nigeria, Ukraine, and parts of the U.S., commercial surrogacy is either legal or loosely regulated, creating an opportunity for surrogates and agencies to profit.
This is the reason the National Assembly in Nigeria is considering putting a law in place. The law will prohibit anyone from engaging in surrogacy for commercial purpose.
âś… Desperation And Poverty
In many cases, financial hardship drives women to become surrogates — sometimes without proper protection or full understanding of the health and emotional risks.
âś… Surrogacy Tourism
Wealthy couples from Western nations often travel to countries where surrogacy is cheaper, turning it into a global market.
🧠Ethical Dilemma: A Beautiful Gift Or Baby-for-Hire?
The rise of paid surrogacy has raised tough ethical questions like:
Is it empowering for women, or exploitative?
Should it be regulated like organ donation, or treated like a business transaction?
Are surrogates being properly protected — medically, legally, and emotionally?
🌍 Surrogacy In Africa And Nigeria
In places like Nigeria, this type of birth is growing fast, but often exists in secrecy, with little legal framework.
Some women now see it as a lucrative opportunity, while others criticise it as a cultural and spiritual conflict. This is especially among Christians and traditionalists.
One thing we know is that the rise in this form of childbirth could erode the place of trust in God for the gift of a child.
Have You Read:Â Surrogacy : Things To Consider Before Opting In
If a wealthy person thinks that getting a child is necessary, with money available, the individual could go ahead and seek this form of procreation, embodying the sayings that “money answers all things”.
✨ Takeaway
Surrogacy has come a long way — from the tent of Abraham and Hagar to high-tech clinics and international contracts.
While it offers hope to many families, its increasing commercialisation reminds us of the need for balance, compassion, and regulation.
The big question remains: Can we preserve the heart of surrogacy — the gift of life — while managing its growing economic and ethical complexities?