Ethics of Commercial Surrogacy in Kazakhstan

Anastassiya Kondratenko

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

The thesis will investigate ethical questions concerning the practice of commercial surrogacy, in which women are paid in order to carry and give birth to children, in Kazakhstan. Advances in technology have made surrogacy a viable option for many people, and there are extensive debates about whether it is something that should be paid for. It is often seen to raise ethical questions about the commodification of the body, exploitation, and inequality both within and between countries. The thesis will look at the issues surrounding surrogacy in Kazakhstan, where it is legal, with a particular focus on the role of religion in shaping laws and attitudes towards it. The thesis will develop a literature review covering ethical and legal debates regarding commercial surrogacy, with a particular focus on debates within Islam and in countries similar to Kazakhstan. The practical part will involve exploratory, qualitative research into attitudes toward surrogacy through interpersonal interviews. To conclude, the author is able to highlight that based on the series of interpersonal interviews and analysis of rather diverse responses provided by three participants each having a different religion, belonging to a different age category, and having a different background, religion is not the only factor that shapes the perception of the ethical issues of commercial surrogacy in the country. Like anywhere in the world, the practice raises concerns about the very nature of excessive commodification and for some people, it even looks rather disturbing as more and more people can join the practice in order to improve their financial position without even considering the potential consequences for themselves and for society.

Keywords

Kazakhstan, Islam, commodification

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 16. 3. 2023

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 16. 5. 2023
• Supervisor: Daniel Rosenhaft Swain, Ph.D. MA
• Reader: Julita Skotarska, Ing., externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Economics and Management

Bachelor programme:
Business Administration