Going to India for babies

NPR Radio reports:

In the U.S., surrogate parenting is widely accepted. Although no official figures exist, experts believe perhaps a thousand American children are born every year through surrogacy.

A patchwork of state-to-state regulations governs the practice. But the bottom line is if you're an American in the market for a surrogate — and you have money to spend — you can do it.

Things are very different in other parts of the world.

In Europe, for example, it's illegal in half a dozen countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain. It is permitted in a handful of other European nations — though there are major restrictions.

Not really so different. There are many states where the practice is illegal, like Michigan. Yes, you can do it if you are willing to move to where it is legal, but that is also true about Europe and the rest of the world.

No, it is not widely accepted. The term "surrogate parenting" is not even widely accepted. It sounds like using a substitute to bring up your kid, but that is not what it is at all.

It says 1,000 kids a year in the USA, but:

No one knows how many surrogate children are born in India. Kumari's best guess is that the figure is around 40,000 a year — more than half of them to international parents.

In India, the process can cost $60,000, while in the U.S., estimates range to upwards of $150,000.

If that is true, then the USA market is a small fraction of the world market.