It is “none of our business” why actress Lily Collins and her husband had a baby through surrogacy, a lawyer specialising in the practice has said. 

Last week, the couple announced the birth of their daughter with a post on Instagram. 

Amid the many congratulatory messages, there were also a number criticising them for using a surrogate to have a child. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lily Collins (@lilyjcollins)

"It's okay to not know why someone might need a surrogate to have a child,” Collin’s husband, Paul McDonald wrote in response. 

“It's okay to not know the motivations of a surrogate regardless of what you assume. 

“And it's ok to spend less time spewing hateful words into the world, especially in regards to a beautiful baby girl who has brought a lot of love into people's lives."

On Newstalk Breakfast, surrogacy lawyer Natalie Sutherland said she was “unfortunately not” surprised by the backlash. 

“We see this all the time with surrogacy, it hits such a nerve with people,” she said. 

“Everyone from behind their keyboard likes to be able to criticise.

“Infertility is a disease that is absolutely indiscriminate. 

“We don’t know why Lily Collins and her husband chose to use surrogacy - and it’s none of our business.” 

Close up of a couple touching the stomach of a pregnant surrogate mother. Image: Photononstop / Alamy Stock Photo

Ms Sutherland said she would “never deny” there are valid ethical concerns about the issue of surrogacy and she has seen it “time and time” again in certain countries. 

“What we have seen in countries where it is regulated, is that it is a much better system,” she said. 

“Surrogates are protected, intended parents are protected and there is an ethical framework in which everyone works.” 

For anyone considering becoming a parent through surrogacy, Ms Sutherland said it is vital that they “do their own due diligence”.  

“Do your research, check that the agency that you’re using has ethical standards,” she said. 

“I know that the US is usually considered the gold standard - but it’s very expensive.

“So, other countries pop up where there will be bad actors and, as an intended parent, you need to ask yourself if that is something that you are willing to engage in.” 

Calls to ban surrogacy

Some believe that commercial surrogacy can never be ethical and that it is inherently exploitative. 

They believe it should be banned - something that Ms Sutherland thinks is not practical. 

“I think there should be regulation in every country,” she said. 

“I think there’s a lot of calls for saying surrogacy should be banned… and I don’t think that is ever going to be possible. 

“If you have a country where they do ban it, you’re just exporting it to another country and that feeds the [unethical] issues.” 

If you are hoping to become a parent through surrogacy, Ms Sutherland said it is important to obtain legal advice beforehand.

Main image: Lily Collins. Picture by: Alamy.com