More from the booming surrogate mother industry. A Philadelphia company is raising eyebrows by describing gestational surrogacy as a paying job. An email from Surrogate Services International says that "In this economy and particularly around the holiday season one would think a local business would not have any trouble filling job openings."  It is offering "well paid, part-time positions" as egg donors and surrogate mothers.

The company’s website explains: “We understand that for many women assisting parents achieve their dream of parenthood is payment enough, however since we know this is a real job with immense responsibilities we believe the gestational carrier should be paid accordingly as such.” The “wages” [sic] range from US$20,000 to $35,000.

Like similar companies in the US, SSI’s services include a phalanx of lawyers to ensure that the mother relinquishes the child and that the intending parents, from both the US and overseas, can adopt the baby. It is an LGBT-friendly agency.

Professor Art Caplan, of the University of Pennsylvania, was incensed:

"I thought it was most outrageous. What they are saying is that having a baby is the same as working at the perfume counter at Macy's or Bloomingdales for a part-time job. I don't know what planet these people are operating on but i don't think it is one that is distinguished by its ethics. These are major decisions and they shouldn't be treated in this trivial way.” ~ NBC National News, Jan 4