Most Icelanders Support Surrogate Motherhood

The results of a new poll on the subject show that most Icelanders are in favour of legalising surrogate motherhood.

Vísir reports that only 24% of respondents to a new poll from Maskína said they were against legalising surrogate motherhood, while 52% support it.

In terms of demographics, men were more likely to support it than women, at 56% to 48%, respectively. Younger people also showed more support for it than older people. 69% of those under 25 support allowing surrogate motherhood, as opposed to only 39% of those over the age of 55.

Currently, Iceland has no clear laws regarding surrogate motherhood, but the subject has gained more prominence recently. A parliamentary resolution on the subject in 2012 passed, but this only laid the groundwork for creating more definitive legislation on the subject.

In fact, a bill which would fully legalise surrogate motherhood was introduced to the 2015-2016 session, but has not, at the time of this writing, yet made it into committee. Further changes to the bill can probably be expected, but whether it will pass during this parliamentary session remains to be seen.