Russian MPs voted today in first reading in favor of the bill that would ban foreigners from using the services of surrogate mothers, as Moscow’s relations with Western countries continue to deteriorate due to the war in Ukraine.
The institution of surrogate motherhood is legal in Russia, but the practice has been criticized by religious groups who claim that it commercializes the birth of children.
One of the authors of the bill, which was adopted almost unanimously at first reading, said that such legislation is necessary so as not to endanger children born in Russia.
Currently, “We can not watch the fate of a single baby,” said Vassily Piskarov, a member of parliament for the ruling United Russia party.
“We do not know who their parents are, their so-called ‘mom’ and ‘dad’, and why they are buying a baby,” he told parliament.
Piskariov said about 40,000 babies were born in Russia of surrogate mothers have left the country to be raised by foreigners.
“Why do we have to have our own funds to solve the demographic problems of other countries?” He added that babies born in Russia to surrogate mothers should automatically acquire Russian citizenship “so that we can monitor their fate”.
The bill will require two more readings to be approved by the State Duma, and then it will have to be reconsidered by the Federation Council (upper house) and to become law it will have to be signed by President Vladimir Putin.
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