Do Surrogates Affect the Baby's DNA?

Epigenetics in Surrogacy: Can the Surrogate Mother Affect the Baby’s DNA?

As more intended parents choose surrogacy as a means of starting their families, the industry is evolving. Although for people unable to carry a child themselves, surrogacy offers a clear road forward, concerns regarding the genetic link between the infant and the surrogate mother often arise. Many wonder: Does the surrogate mother share DNA with the infant, or does surrogacy affect DNA in any other sense? These concerns can be addressed by exploring the emerging field of epigenetics, which studies how environmental factors can influence gene expression. The following article will look at how epigenetics relates to surrogacy and whether the surrogate mother might affect the genes of the unborn child.

What is Surrogacy and How Does It Work?

A surrogate is a woman who carries and delivers a baby on behalf of the intended parents. There are two distinct types of surrogacy:

1. Gestational Surrogacy: In gestational surrogacy, the egg from either the intended mother or an egg donor is fertilized by sperm from the intended father or a sperm donor. The surrogate then carries the resulting embryo. In this type of surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the child.
2. Traditional Surrogacy: In traditional surrogacy, the surrogate uses her own egg, therefore becoming the biological mother of the child. However, this type of surrogacy is significantly less common and usually raises more ethical and legal issues.

In gestational surrogacy, a common question is whether the surrogate mother passes on DNA to the baby. It’s important to understand that the surrogate does not share or transfer any genetic material to the child.

Do Surrogate Mothers Pass on DNA?

In terms of gestational surrogacy, a quick reply is no. The child gets its DNA from the biological father—the man who supplied the sperm—as well as from the biological mother, the woman who supplied the egg. Although the surrogate carries and nurtures the baby throughout pregnancy, no genetic material is transferred to the embryo through the womb. The embryo’s genetics remain unchanged.

Therefore, in gestational surrogacy, when asked, ‘Does the baby have the surrogate’s DNA?’ or ‘Do surrogate babies carry the surrogate’s DNA?’ the answer is no. The baby is genetically related to the individuals who provided the egg and sperm, not the surrogate.

The Role of Epigenetics in Surrogacy

In gestational surrogacy the surrogate mother does not provide her DNA. However, she can affect how some genes in the baby are expressed through epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of modifications in gene expression, free of changes in the DNA sequence itself. Instead, environmental factors including diet, stress level, and even the physical surroundings of the womb influence these changes. Therefore, epigenetics claims that the surrogate has some impact on which genes are turned on or off in the infant, even though she does not impact the DNA itself. Surrogacy agencies require surrogates to undergo extensive health screenings, ensuring the baby has a healthy and nurturing environment in which to grow.

Does Surrogacy Affect the Child? Exploring Epigenetic Impact

Although it’s clear the surrogate mother does not contribute genetically to the child, you may still wonder, ‘How does surrogacy affect the child?’ To understand this, it’s important to recognize how a woman’s health can influence a developing fetus.

The environment of the surrogate’s womb—including her diet, stress levels, and overall health—can impact the expression of the baby’s genes. For example, maternal nutrition may influence the expression of metabolic genes, potentially affecting the child’s risk for conditions like diabetes later in life. This is a fascinating example of epigenetics: while the baby’s genetic code remains unchanged, its expression is shaped by the environment in the womb.

Does a Surrogate Baby Inherit Anything from the Surrogate?

Although the surrogate mother passes on none of her DNA, epigenetic elements allow the surrogate to affect a few aspects of the baby’s development. For example, the health, hormone levels, and stress of the surrogate can all affect the expression of particular genes in the child. These factors, meanwhile, do not affect the baby’s genetic composition. Rather, they influence the way the newborn realizes his inherent genetic blueprint.

You might say, in a sense, that the surrogate affects the expression of certain traits instead of providing genetic material. While the long-term effects of these epigenetic changes are still being studied, the key takeaway is that the surrogate’s overall health and nutrition are the most important factors.

Can Surrogates Change Their Mind?

Beyond the genetic element of surrogacy, a common concern of intended parents is, ‘can surrogates change their minds?’ This question touches on a common myth in surrogacy—that surrogates will want to keep the baby.

At Northwest Surrogacy Center, we operate only in states where intended parents can be granted legal custody of the child before birth. In the U.S., surrogacy agreements are legally binding, and once the baby is delivered, the surrogate cannot alter parental rights. The surrogate has no legal claims to the child, as the legal framework ensures that the intended parents are recognized as the baby’s rightful guardians. Furthermore, it is extremely rare for a surrogate to want to keep the baby. Surrogates enter the process fully aware they are carrying the child for another family.

Does a Surrogate Share DNA with the Baby? The Legal Perspective

Furthermore, important to note is that surrogacy agreements are written knowing the surrogate has no genetic relationship to the unborn child. Under gestational surrogacy, the surrogate is just the carrier; her DNA has no bearing on the genetic composition of the child. From a biological as well as a legal standpoint, the child is not connected to or considered the surrogate’s.

Surrogacy and Genetics: Summing It Up

To outline the most important concepts:

1. Do surrogates transmit DNA? In gestational surrogacy, no, the surrogate mother does not pass on DNA to the offspring.
2. Does a baby take anything from a surrogate mother? Though the child gets its DNA from the biological parents, epigenetics allows the womb environment of the surrogate to influence gene expression.
3. Does surrogacy affect the child? While surrogacy can influence the child through epigenetics, it does not impact the surrogate’s DNA. As long as the surrogate maintains good health and provides a nurturing environment for the developing fetus, the child will not be negatively affected.

Conclusion: The Role of Epigenetics in Surrogacy

The surrogate mother in gestational surrogacy does not share DNA with the infant. The intended parents, or egg and sperm donors—provide the child’s genetic material. Though it does not change the genetic code itself, the surrogate can influence the development of the kid through epigenetics, which influences the expression of some genes.

At Northwest Surrogacy Center, we require our surrogates to undergo a thorough screening process to ensure they meet our high standards. This includes health and psychological evaluations, a non-smoking status, abstaining from drugs or alcohol during pregnancy, maintaining a healthy BMI, and having a supportive and stable home environment.  Learn more about NWSC’s surrogate requirements here.

Our team carefully matches intended parents with surrogates to ensure a smooth and fulfilling surrogacy journey. If you’re considering surrogacy, reach out to us today to learn how we can help you build the family of your dreams.