International parents choose ethical surrogacy in the United States because it offers clear parentage orders, stable legal protection, and leading reproductive medicine. Ethical surrogacy follows structured guidelines that include surrogate autonomy, medical screening, and bonded escrow management. This article expands on these principles and addresses common misconceptions discussed during Parham Zar’s appearance on the Dr Phil show.
Ethical international surrogacy is the safest and most reliable path for parents around the world who want to build a family through assisted reproduction. The United States provides unmatched legal protection, advanced fertility medicine, and ethical guidelines that protect the surrogate, the intended parents, and the child.
These principles guided my recent conversation on the Dr. Phil show, where I addressed widespread misconceptions and explained why families choose the United States for surrogacy.
Why Ethical International Surrogacy is Essential
Ethical international surrogacy protects everyone involved by combining informed consent, medical safety, and legally enforceable agreements. This structure allows intended parents to pursue parenthood with clarity and minimizes the risks that arise in unregulated or loosely regulated countries.
At Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute (EDSI), ethical surrogacy is defined by non-negotiable safeguards that ensure transparency and protection for surrogates and families.
What Makes a Surrogacy Journey Ethical?
Ethical surrogacy requires a rigid framework that includes the following pillars:
- Surrogate Autonomy: A gestational surrogate must have her own independent legal representation, full medical review, and clear consent at every step. Compensation must be managed through a third-party bonded escrow provider to ensure transparency.
- Medical Safety: Programs must follow ASRM (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) guidelines, which include psychological evaluation, medical clearance, verified pregnancy history, and clinical oversight by board-certified reproductive endocrinologists.
- Legal Certainty: Ethical programs secure court orders that establish parentage before or shortly after birth. In surrogacy-friendly states, these Pre-Birth Orders ensure that intended parents are recognized on the birth certificate from the very beginning.
These standards define ethical international surrogacy and help families avoid confusion about parentage, citizenship, and legal responsibility.
What International Parents Really Want
On the Dr. Phil show, I addressed the assumption that international parents pursue surrogacy for political or immigration gain. This is not the reality.
“They are looking for that miracle of having a child. They are not thinking about a passport.”
— Parham Zar
Parents come to the United States because they want a child born in a safe medical environment, supported by clear laws and ethical protections. Their motivations are focused on family, not strategy.
After twenty-five years in this field, the pattern is consistent: Families pursue surrogacy out of love, hope, and the desire for security. Ethical surrogacy ensures that intent is respected through transparent procedures.
Why Families Choose the United States for International Surrogacy
Families from every continent choose the United States because it offers predictable outcomes, quality medical care, and enforceable legal protection. No other global destination matches this combination.
American IVF laboratories, maternal-fetal specialists, and neonatologists work within a system built for safety and precision. Success rates are higher, protocols are standardized, and surrogates receive continuous clinical support. On the show, I explained why this medical advantage matters:
“The ability to really create that life, bar none, is the best than anywhere else in the world.”
— Parham Zar
For families who have experienced years of infertility, this level of scientific reliability is life-changing.
How U.S. Surrogacy Laws Protect International Families
In countries where surrogacy exists without a legal framework, intended parents often face uncertainty at the hospital. Ethical international surrogacy in the United States eliminates this risk through established legal procedures:
- Pre-Birth Orders: These court orders name the intended parents as the legal parents before the child is born. The parents’ names appear on the original birth certificate.
- Clear Hospital Instructions: Medical teams follow written court orders, ensuring no confusion about consent or decision-making during delivery.
- Guaranteed Parental Recognition: Surrogates are legally protected from parental responsibility and are not placed in emotional or legal limbo.
- Immediate Clarity: Parents travel home with documents that accurately reflect their legal status.
Responding to Myths About Wealth and Political Motives
Some critics argue that surrogacy is only available to the wealthy or that it is used for political benefit. Both claims misunderstand the lived experiences of real families.
Infertility affects every income level. Wealth does not protect anyone from reproductive loss or medical challenges.
“Wealth does not eliminate infertility. We invite families from around the world to avail themselves of the terrific medical technology that we have in the United States.”
— Parham Zar
On the program, I also addressed a recurring myth about espionage and national security. These claims ignore the humanity of intended parents.
“My hope is that every single one of them will ultimately move to the United States, start businesses, and become taxpaying citizens.”
— Parham Zar
Families pursue surrogacy for stability, love, and family building. Ethical surrogacy honors these intentions.
Checklist: Choosing an Ethical International Surrogacy Program
Intended parents should confirm the following criteria before selecting an agency:
- ✅ Independent Legal Representation for both surrogate and parents.
- ✅ Licensed Psychological Evaluation for all parties.
- ✅ Verified Medical and Pregnancy History of the surrogate.
- ✅ Transparent Compensation managed through bonded escrow.
- ✅ Experience Securing Pre-Birth or Post-Birth orders.
- ✅ Clear Clinical Oversight from licensed fertility specialists.
- ✅ Ethical Counseling and educational support.
These elements signal that a program prioritizes safety and legal clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethical International Surrogacy
Ethical international surrogacy is a regulated process that safeguards the rights of surrogates, intended parents, and children through ASRM-compliant medical screening, independent legal counsel, and enforceable parentage orders.
Families choose the United States because it offers the highest medical standards (IVF technology) and the most reliable legal protections for establishing parentage (Pre-Birth Orders).
No. Surrogacy does not grant visas or Green Cards. Parents pursue surrogacy to build a family, not to seek immigration pathways.
es. The United States maintains superior medical protocols, strict regulatory oversight, and clear legal structures that protect all parties involved.
An ethical agreement includes independent legal counsel for both parties, comprehensive medical and psychological screening, transparent escrow management, and structured parentage procedures.
Parham also writes regularly about ethical surrogacy and international family building on Substack. Read the latest article here:
https://eggdonorandsurrogacy.substack.com/p/what-i-shared-on-dr-phil-about-ethical
About the Author
Parham Zar is the Founder and Managing Director of Egg Donor and Surrogacy Institute EDSI. For more than twenty five years, Parham has worked directly with intended parents and surrogates, guiding families through the personal journey of surrogacy with care, clarity, and respect.
Parham’s work is grounded in real world experience. He has supported thousands of families in the United States and internationally who are navigating infertility, loss, and the hope of becoming parents. His approach is hands on. He is involved at every stage of the journey, from first conversations to matching, pregnancy support, and birth planning.
He is known for his commitment to ethical surrogacy and for ensuring that surrogates are supported, informed, and respected. Parham focuses on transparency, trust, and long term wellbeing for everyone involved. He has appeared on the Dr Phil show and other media platforms to help the public understand responsible surrogacy and the experiences of international families seeking care in the United States.
Learn more about Parham Zar at https://eggdonorandsurrogacy.com/parham-zar/.
