In traditional surrogacy, the baby is genetically related to whom?

• A. The surrogate
• B. The couple’s male partner
• C. A donor egg
• D. Neither parent

Answer: (A)

In traditional surrogacy the surrogate’s own egg is used to create the embryo, so the baby carries genetic material from the surrogate. The sperm that fertilizes that egg can come from the intended father or from a donor, which means the child may also be genetically related to that person, but the defining fact is that the egg donor (the surrogate) provides the genetic material. Using a donor egg would describe a different setup (not traditional surrogate), and saying the baby is related to neither parent ignores the genetic link through the surrogate's egg. So the baby is genetically related to the surrogate.