title: Commercial agencies and surrogate motherhood: a transaction cost approach.
abstract: In this paper we investigate the legal arrangements involved in UK surrogate motherhood from a transaction-cost perspective. We outline the specific forms the transaction costs take and critically comment on the way in which the UK institutional and organisational arrangements at present adversely influence transaction costs. We then focus specifically on the potential role of surrogacy agencies and look at UK and US evidence on commercial and voluntary agencies. Policy implications follow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, University of Strathclyde, Sir William Duncan Building, Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 OGE.
authors.forename: Mhairi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galbraith
authors.forename: Hugh V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: McLachlan
authors.forename: J Kim
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Swales
mesh_terms: D003132:Commerce / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics; D032982:Contracts / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005249:Fees and Charges; D006801:Humans; D009014:Morals; D009937:Organizational Objectives / Q000191:economics; D009938:Organizations / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013533:Gestational Carriers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D035501:Uncertainty; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States