The Italian Senate recently passed a law making surrogacy a 'universal crime'. In a country where surrogacy is already illegal, and has been since 2004, this decision takes restrictions to a whole new level. The use of the term 'universal crime' (reato universale) to describe the ban has raised further concern. The language evokes the wording of the Italian criminal code for crimes considered so serious that they contravene 'universal values'. The wording therefore puts surrogacy on a par with genocide and crimes against humanity. Countries are not aligned on whether surrogacy should be allowed or prohibited. Several allow it, albeit with different restrictions and safeguards. In Greece, non-commercial surrogacy has been legal since 2002, allowing the intended parents to have legal parenthood at birth. In California, even so-called commercial surrogacy ' where the surrogate receives compensation ' is allowed. Other countries, including France and Germany, prohibit surrogacy. This...
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