Italy's New Law Tackles Surrogacy Tourism

Italian lawmakers have just passed a strict new law making it illegal for couples to seek surrogacy abroad. This move comes from the far-right Brothers of Italy party, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The law extends a previous ban on surrogacy within Italy, but now reaches further to punish those who travel to countries where it's legal. This includes the US and Canada. Those caught could face up to two years in jail and fines of up to €1m. The core of the argument against surrogacy lies in the notion that motherhood is unique and can't be replaced. The law's supporters see surrogacy as an "inhuman" practice that treats children as commodities, a stance shared by the Catholic Church. However, not everyone agrees. LGBTQ activists like Franco Grillini protested the bill, asserting that it unfairly targets gay couples wanting to have children in a country struggling with low birthrates. Alessia Crocini, head of Rainbow Families, highlighted that 90% of Italians using surrogacy are heterosexual couples who keep it secret, meaning gay couples are the ones most affected. This move by Italy's government has sparked debate on how it handles declining birthrates and the rights of LGBTQ individuals to become parents. The law has been met with criticism, with activists calling it a "monstrous" measure without parallel in the world. As Italy faces its 15th straight year of decline in births, the question remains whether this crackdown on surrogacy will help or hinder families.