Surrogacy enables intended parents to have a child through a surrogate mother who carries the pregnancy. This is often pursued when the intended mother lacks a uterus or has one that cannot support pregnancy. Typically, the intended mother's egg is retrieved, fertilized with her partner's sperm via in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the embryo is implanted into the surrogate's uterus. The surrogate carries the baby to term, but the child is genetically the intended parents' since she provides only her uterus, not her eggs.
Surrogacy also supports same-sex male couples: a donor egg is fertilized with the intended father's sperm, and the embryo is transferred to the surrogate for gestation and birth.
Surrogacy, known as GPA (Gestation Pour Autrui) in France, is strictly prohibited. The Penal Code penalizes involvement with up to six months in prison and a €7,500 fine. Debates persist, especially post same-sex marriage reforms.
Meanwhile, some French couples seek surrogacy in permissive countries like India, Ukraine, Argentina, Brazil, and South Africa. Until late 2014, the status of repatriated children was unclear. The Taubira circular then directed courts to grant them French nationality. Surrogacy nonetheless remains banned in France.
