London 2016 Conference

How are governments responding to the demand for surrogacy?

In recent years, rising demand for surrogacy has seen agencies targeting countries without protective laws such as Nepal, Thailand and India. Each has recently banned foreigners. Mexico has recently done the same.  What is the UK doing? Fertility lawyers talks about these changes and their likely impact on intended parents

Moderator: Louisa Ghaevert (UK)

Cindy Wasser, Hope Springs Fertility Law, Dana Magdassi, Lotus Surrogacy, Sophie Ukleba, New Life Global,

The Psychology of Surrogacy

Surrogacy in countries such as UK, Greece, Mexico, Israel and Australia is altruistic in nature, meaning surrogates can only be paid expenses. Understanding what motivates surrogates to carry and what psychological and personal issues are important is crucial. Discusses how surrogates are motivated to carry for a stranger.

Dr. Kim Bergman, Growing Generations

Parents discuss their journeys to have a child in the US, UK, Canada and Mexico, including the hurdles, the important decisions; real costs; what can go wrong, how to cope

Moderator: Richard Westoby

Panelists: Anna-Lena Seip-Lachele, YottamOttolenghi& Karl Pallen, Jade Ghosn, Jane Newman

MORNING TEA

Surrogacy in the US

Provides an overview of which US states are most amenable to surrogacy for foreigners, what nationalities are accepted as clients, what issues affect costs, how compensated surrogacy operates, how transfer of parentage works, birth certificates and health insurance options

Karen Synesiou, Center for Surrogate Parenting

Surrogate Panel

Matching with a surrogate – what are the important issues? what qualities are needed? Support during pregnancy and after.  What are the likely hurdles; IP relationships How do they work ?Looking after the needs of each party; the merits of traditional vs gestational surrogacy, carrying for a stranger; managing expectations; can we work together? family members as surrogates

Moderator: tbc

Anna Stewart; Sarah Jones, Clare Molloy tbc

Passports for UK citizens using offshore surrogacy

Jonathan Wharton, Head of Nationality Policy, Passport Policy

LUNCH

Egg Donors & What to Consider

For gay men, this presentation is essential. For heterosexuals with a history of failed cycles, knowing when to use a donor is also vital. This talk will also help you understand when to consider donor eggs and what donor attributes most contribute to success rates.

Dr. Shlomi Barak, Manor IVF

Embryo Transfer Decisions

Risks and factors to consider prior to making a decisionWhen is pre-genetic testing relevant? What are the pros and cons? What are the contra-indications? Are their ethical considerations?

Dr. Said Daneshmand, Fertility Center of Las Vegas

Parental Orders in Domestic & International Surrogacy

According to UK law, the legal parent is the surrogate until or unless parental orders are made to the intended parent. The process awards a UK birth certificate and is available to those using domestic and overseas arrangements. Not all intended parents using overseas arrangements apply. Anne-Marie Hutchison discusses the pros and cons of such orders as well as costs and timeframes

Anne-Marie Hutchinson, Dawson Cornwell

What you need to know – Surrogacy in Canada

What laws protect surrogates and children? What is the infrastructure like? How is matching done? Is there health insurance? How does citizenship work? What costs should I expect?

Cindy Wasser, Hope Springs Fertility Law

 Angie Campeau, Canadian Fertility Consultants

Dr. Clifford Librach, Create Fertility Centre

AFTERNOON TEA

What you need to know –  Surrogacy in Greece

Greek clinics now offer surrogacy to (heterosexual) foreigners however laws still ban recruitment of surrogates. A panel of experts explain how Greek law is finding ways to assist foreigners with surrogacy.

Panelists: Dr. Ioannis Giakoumakis, Mediterranean Fertility Institute

Maria Vastaroucha, Konstantinos Rokas

What Do I Tell My Children?

Some children have no access to their egg donor or surrogate, so telling them as much as possible about how and where they were brought into the world is a key issue. At what age should you start telling? What issues are they likely to want information about?  Well-meaning family and friends often get very confused as to the specifics of surrogacy. Some have ingrained prejudices. How and how much do I disclose to family & friends?

Olivia Montuschi

What you need to know – Surrogacy in Ukraine

What laws protect surrogates and children? What is the infrastructure like? How is matching done? Are there safeguards against exploitation? How does citizenship work? What sort of woman become surrogates?

Julia Osiyevska, New Hope Surrogacy Ukraine

Optimal IVF treatments to maximum success

the Pros and Cons of natural vs medicated cycles; Antagonist vs down-regulation cycles; what does the data show? 

Dr. Ariel Horowitz, Manor IVF

What you need to know – Surrogacy in Mexico?

Understand the legal changes in Mexico. Learn who can enter into surrogacy agreements and the program and IVF treatment options available to foreigners in Mexico.

Catherine Moscarello,  IP Conceptions, Dr. Hugo Ruiz Barba, CEFAM Mexico

Shipping Genetic Material Across Borders

Many intended parents crate embryos in one place, but their surrogate is in another, requiring shipment of their precious cargo. Many have embryos sitting in a country no longer open for surrogacy. What are the key issues to be aware of in transporting embryos in relation to paperwork, laws, customs control, costs and timelines?

Simon Hedley, Annare Heneghan-Bernett, IVF Couriers

EVENING DRINKS FUNCTION