On Sunday, news published the case of Ørjan’s plan B, which has accompanied Ørjan on the journey from single to grandfather. He has wanted children for a long time. The right lady has just never appeared. In the end, he made the choice: To have children alone with the help of a surrogate mother who carries the child in the United States. The debate about surrogacy has created debate in Norway over several years. In 2022, surrogacy is illegal in Norway. Fearing orphaned children Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) believes it should still be illegal to have children in this way. – It is forbidden in Norway, and I am very much behind it. I am opposed to surrogacy for various reasons. Among other things, the child rights perspective. There is a risk that children will be born and orphaned. – Orphans? – There can be big and small crises where the parents who have ordered the child do not come and pick up. There are enough examples that show that this is risky. Not just when it comes to war. The war has brought out this industry, says Toppe. She refers to Ukraine, which together with the United States is one of the most common destinations for the type of surrogacy where one takes the child home to another country. Comparing with human trafficking – The second is that surrogacy in itself can be compared to human trafficking. A commercial industry where there is a great danger of exploiting vulnerable women. Shall we make children an item you can order and buy? – It depends on whether it is a human right to have children if surrogacy is to be part of the offer for infertility. I think it is wrong, says Toppe to news. No one knows how many surrogate children come to Norway each year. But last year, 61 Norwegian fathers said that they became the father of a child in one of the countries it is most common to go to for surrogacy. It shows figures the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has obtained from the foreign service missions. Believes it should be punished About 10 years ago, the Storting passed an exemption which means that people who have children through surrogacy abroad can not be punished. Tops voted against the law change and still disagree. She thinks that parents who go the same way as Ørjan should be punished. – It is not a point for me to punish, but punitive provisions are attitude-creating and support the seriousness of the legal provision. What is important is to make it clear that this is a ban, says the Minister for Children and Families. She says the government stands by the law change that gave private exemptions in the penal provision, and that this is her personal view. Was orphaned on paper for eight years Selma Jenvin-Steinsvåg (15) visited Dagsnytt 18 on Friday, while surrogacy was discussed. She has two fathers, and was born with the help of a surrogate mother in the United States. Due to the fact that surrogacy is illegal in Norway, and the Norwegian authorities at the time did not accept two fathers as guardians, Selma was listed as an orphan in Norway. Therefore, she and her siblings were listed as orphans in Norway, but with two fathers in the United States, where she was born. It was a temporary law from 2013–2015 that meant that Selma has parents on paper today. – I think it is sad that the next generations must also fight the same battle, says Jenvin-Steinsvåg. – From the start, we have always been open about the fact that I have two fathers, and no one has had a problem with that. The only problem I have had with surrogacy is that someone else should have an opinion about my life, she says to news. Will change the law in Norway The leader of the family and culture committee in the Storting Grunde Almeland (V) believes that surrogacy should become law in Norway. – It is outrageous that a family minister wants to punish children who come to Norway, as she indirectly says. This is law in the USA, and Norway can not regulate other countries’ legislation. We must recognize that, and secure rights. We must dare to take the discussion and get legislation that makes good demands, so that the children and women are taken care of in the best possible way. THINK NEW: The leader of the family and culture committee in the Storting, Grunde Almeland (V), believes we should accept new ways of creating a family. Photo: Stian Lysberg Solum / NTB Almeland believes that altruistic surrogacy is the best solution. This means that surrogacy must take place through a strong desire to help, where the motivation is not to make money from it. – The challenges could have been solved if we had regulated it here in Norway. Families are put together in different ways today compared to 20-30 and 100 years back in time. Therefore, the Liberal Party believes that the regulations must also be updated, says Almeland.
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Minister for Children and Families believes surrogacy should be punished – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
