Italy is cracking down on gestational surrogacy, a practice already outlawed in Italy, as in most of Europe. Now, the right-wing government in Rome wants to make it a criminal offense for Italian citizens to use surrogates abroad—including in countries where it is legal, such as the U.S. Our CEO was interviewed by the Wall Street Journal to shed light on this horrific, ridiculous and terrifying bill that has created astonishment and perplexity even among the American people.
Those found guilty could face up to two years in jail and a fine of up to €1 million, equivalent to $1.1 million. A bill that would declare surrogacy a so-called universal crime—meaning it could be prosecuted in Italy even if it happens abroad—passed the Italian Parliament’s lower house this summer and is pending in the upper house. Affected parents say the impact is being felt already. Surrogacy has become stigmatized. Many parents who have had children through surrogates are scared to discuss it.
Legal recognition as parents has already become harder to obtain even for a child’s biological parent as Italians authorities are frighten by the bill too. We are prepared to face any incoming law.