The Commodification of Children: It’s Not ‘Conservative’ to Support Surrogacy

American political commentator and “conservative” Fox News contributor Guy Benson, host of “The Guy Benson Show,” recently announced that he obtained a baby via surrogacy over the Thanksgiving weekend. Benson is “married” to a man, Adam Wise.

Some personal news ❤️ https://t.co/SOE8limxT6 pic.twitter.com/162KB6cTeh

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) December 1, 2023

In a post on Instagram announcing the news, Benson said,

Now that Conrad is here, I am not going to tolerate attacks on my family, including and especially the existence of my son. Full stop. Expect deletions and blocks.

In a statement to Parade, Benson said, “We are totally in love, so excited and he’s doing great.”

“It’s a challenge as new parents and involves so much feeding, crying, diaper changes and staying on his schedule. But it’s a privilege to do it. And we are over the moon,” he added.

Many popular “conservatives” were quick to post their congratulations to Benson and Wise on X, formerly known as Twitter. They included:

Matt Whitlock, a conservative communicator and former staffer for Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee.
Jonah Goldberg, Editor-in-Chief at The Dispatch.
Kat Timpf, Fox News commentator
Kathleen McKinley, Fox26 political pundit.

But what these “conservative” commentators are lauding is the commodification of a child, Conrad, who tragically will not grow up knowing the love of his mother.

Conrad’s mother contributed half of his genetic material and bonded with him in her womb for nine-months, but he has been taken from her – intentionally and permanently – to satisfy the desires of two adult men who wish to create a new kind of family.

Children’s rights advocate Katy Faust, who is blocked by Benson on Instagram, responded to Benson’s post by replying on X,

“Is it an ‘attack’ to acknowledge that you purchased his genetic mother from a catalog and paid to intentionally sever his relationship with the only person this baby knew the moment he was born, possible resulting in feelings of commodification experienced by other surrogate-born children?”

You can read Faust’s full reply here:

Blocked on Instagram. The comment I would have left under Guy Bensons post.

“Is it an “attack” to acknowledge that you purchased his genetic mother from a catalog and paid to intentionally sever his relationship with the only person this baby knew the moment he was born,… https://t.co/knNL84lEbi pic.twitter.com/jra3v3D8SU

— Katy Faust (@Advo_Katy) December 2, 2023

Conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey also wrote an insightful post on X:

“Kids deserve a mom and a dad” is not radical. “We shouldn’t buy eggs and rent wombs” is not radical. These are very basic, commonsense positions that most people would’ve agreed to 20 years ago. If *you* see these things as radical, oh “moderate conservative,”consider that you…

— Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) December 3, 2023

When the debate over “same-sex marriage” was raging, many activists argued that a same-sex couple’s choice to get married would not affect anyone else. “Marriage is just a private matter,” they would argue.

But here’s where that argument – and where “conservatives” like Benson, Goldberg and Timp – goes wrong.

Same-sex marriage is not a private matter because it has profoundly negative effects on children. It is never morally right to forcibly separate a newborn child from their mother and father, simply to fulfill the desires of grown adults.

Any “conservative” who justifies this tragedy isn’t worth their salt; they’re failing to conserve one of the most fundamental rights of children – the right to their mother and father.

Related articles and resources:

‘Our Babies Have Barcodes.’ The Moral Problems With IVF and Surrogacy.

Young Feminist Writer Explains How Surrogacy Questions Motherhood Itself

The Reasons Same-Sex Marriage Harm the Family Just Keep Revealing Themselves

Children Have a Fundamental Right to Their Mother and Father

We Need to Talk About Assisted Reproduction

Perspective on Surrogate Motherhood

IVF: Moral and Ethical Considerations

Photo from Instagram.