Surrogacy standoff sees more couples heading abroad

California becomes favored center

WANG XIAODONG

The number of Chinese seeking surrogacy services at the Southern California Reproductive Center in Los Angeles has risen gradually in recent years, according to Mark Surrey, the center's chief medical officer.

Last year, more than 100 Chinese clients opted for the center's surrogacy services, accounting for about 50 percent of all Chinese who used the facility, Surrey told China Daily in an email exchange.

As a result of physical factors, the average age of clients for surrogacy services is 40, he wrote. In addition, about 50 percent of Chinese people undergoing the treatment were trying to have a second child.

Usually, the process usually takes about two months, from egg retrieval to the transfer and embedding of the embryo. Patients pay $30,000 to $35,000 for the procedure, excluding the fee paid to the surrogate mother.

Surrey said the center wouldn't be affected if the Chinese authorities decided to legalize surrogacy: "We have patients from all over the world. Our business is not only about surrogacy services. It will be beneficial to many patients if China legalizes surrogacy services in the future and the SCRC will always wish all the best for all patients."

In addition to surrogacy, the center provides services such as in vitro fertilization, egg freezing and the preservation of embryos.