Nepal Bans Surrogacy

New York Times (May 3, 2016): Fewer Surrogacy Options as Nepal Joins a Trend, by Rachel Abrams:

Nepal has banned surrogacy after serving as a robust surrogacy destination for hopeful parents from around the world.  Nepal became a popular destination especially for gay couples after India decided to bar gays from have children via surrogacy there.  Developing countries like Nepal, India and Thailand have one by one restricted or prohibited surrogacy to respond to concerns that surrogacy is akin to human trafficking and that surrogates in those countries are exploited by couples who cannot afford surrogacy in the United States.  They may also be exploited by agencies and few protections if an agency refuses to pay or the surrogate becomes ill or is injured.  Complicating the debate is the fact that surrogates in these countries can earn much, much more than other employment options afford them.