
Introduction
Surrogacy in the ACT has been legal since November
1994. The Canberra Fertility Centre terms a “surrogate” as a
woman who carries a pregnancy for another woman. The embryo contains none
of the surrogate’s genetic
material. The surrogate is a “gestational carrier” only. The
genetic “make-up” of the embryo comes from the “Commissioning
Couple”. The “Commissioning Couple” is the couple that
wants the child. Only IVF surrogacy is sanctioned in the ACT. A booklet is
available upon request that explains the process of surrogacy, or you can
download this booklet in pdf format (255kb).
An Ethics Committee must approve each case of surrogacy.
They have issued a set of guidelines to govern this process. The major emphasis
on counselling so that disputes involving the child do not happen. The laws
in each state are different, you must discuss your circumstance with a lawyer
in your state especially regarding the issue of adoption should you be successful.
Enquiries
Dr Bronwyn Devine manages all surrogacy applications
with the Canberra Fertility Centre. All questions and initial enquiries regarding
surrogacy should be directed in writing to Dr Bronwyn Devine c/- Canberra
Fertility Centre.
Dr Bronwyn Devine
Suite 14 Calvary Cinic
Mary Potter Circuit Bruce ACT 2617
Telephone: 02 6251 0255
Facsimilie: 02 6251 0977
Canberra
Fertility Centre
PO Box 228 Curtin ACT 2605
Telephone:
02 6282 5458
Facsimile:
02 6281 2087
Email: coordinator@cfc.net.au
Website: www.canberrafertilitycenter.com.au
Surrogacy involves an IVF procedure. The oocytes and sperm come from the female and male called the “commissioning couple”, (that is the couple who want the baby). The surrogate female is also called a “gestational carrier” and is the female that will have a fertilised oocyte put into her body with the aim of becoming pregnant and carrying the commissioning couple’s baby.
The commissioning couple must find their own surrogate. It is illegal for the Canberra Fertility Centre to procure surrogates.