Erickson Law's blog

Surrogacy - No, it is not Friday yet! But, I am taking a much needed holiday, so Friday updates are today.

The debate on a bill that would allow same sex couples to adopt children in New South Wales has started in Australia. There should be a vote of the Legislative Assembly sometime this week.

The filmmakers promote it as “the fertility industry’s dirty little secret.” In the trailer, several former egg donors describe horrific experiences resulting in permanent health damages and how they were lured into making poor decisions with offers of hard to resist compensation. The music, ironically scored by the group Thieves and Liars, is dark and foreboding, reminiscent of a horror film. And the name of the documentary – Eggsploitation -- implies its intentions, which is to let the world know about the “trade” in human eggs and “older women with money targeting younger women.”

In the United States, we thrive on our individuality, our independence, our right to privacy, and our right to procreate. We even thrive on our state’s individual rights as a general premise, even though under the full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution, states are generally required to recognize and honor the public laws of other states.

The Surrogacy Lawyer Radio Show - Today I had the great honor of hosting both Barbara Collura of Resolve and Pamela Tsigdinos, Author of Silent Sorority, 2010 Hope Award for Best Book from RESOLVE. I hope that you listen in and do the following:

Read Pamela's Book and "Take the Pledge" with RESOLVE and help stop people with infertility from being ignored!

http://www.resolve.org/resources/people-with-infertility-are-being-ignor...

www.silentsorority.com

http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1767

“As RESOLVE prepares for its annual Night of Hope fundraiser, we are happy to highlight this important event, as well as the individuals like Ms. Tsigdinos who are being lauded for their contributions, “ states Surrogacy Lawyer Erickson.

Surrogacy lawyer, author and radio host Theresa Erickson will be interviewing Pamela Tsigdinos, author of Silent Sorority, and RESOLVE executive director Barbara Collura on Thursday, August 26 at 11 AM PST/2 PM EST on The Surrogacy Lawyer: Considering IVF and Third Party Family Building, Ms. Erickson’s radio program on VoiceAmerica.

The Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) will be holding a three month public consultation to possibly change its policies on egg and sperm donations in the United Kingdom.

The major topic under consideration in the public consultation will be changing the policies regarding egg and sperm donor compensation. “Women who donate eggs are currently paid £250, but this could rise considerably under moves to address egg and sperm shortages at IVF clinics. Many fertility clinics have long waiting lists, driving some childless couples abroad.”

Last week in England the Charity Commission rejected a plea from Catholic Care, a Leeds based adoption group, to restrict adoption to only heterosexual couples. “Catholic Care sought an exclusion from the 2007 sexual orientation regulations and began legal action to change its constitution so it could continue helping married couples only. The commission initially refused to give its consent, but the charity won the right to appeal against its decision.”