Alysa Liu’s Surrogacy Story Highlights Risen Ethical Questions

At the recent Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, it was revealed that one of the standout athletes, Alysa Liu, was conceived through surrogacy using an anonymous egg donor.

Surrogacy, which is a form of assisted reproductive technology, involves a woman, known as the surrogate mother, carrying a child for intended parents. It typically falls into two categories: traditional and gestational, depending on whether the surrogate has a biological connection to the child.

Alysa’s story raises important discussions about the ethical and legal implications of surrogacy, particularly regarding its potential ties to eugenics and assisted reproductive technologies.

Her father, Arthur Liu, fled China after the Tiananmen Square protests and established a life in the United States. He opted for a “non-traditional” family structure and became a single father to Alysa and her four younger siblings, with assistance from another woman in their upbringing.

In the wake of the Olympics, Alysa shared her thoughts on identity and family, reflecting on how she sensed her difference from an early age: “I mean, we didn’t know about it for a long time. I actually figured it out because…our mom is full Chinese, too. And I was like, ‘Oh, I totally don’t look full Chinese. Like, there’s something up.’”

Alysa’s journey may have ended in triumph, but the complexities of surrogacy—including its potential to facilitate trafficking and abuse—have rejuvenated global conversations on the subject across various perspectives.

Some children born through surrogacy have begun to voice their concerns, citing trauma related to their beginnings. Olivia Maurel, a notable advocate against surrogacy, emphasizes the emotional toll of abandonment, arguing for the importance of knowing one’s origins as part of personal identity.

Additionally, certain feminist critiques have condemned the practice for commodifying women, particularly those in vulnerable positions. They highlight the possibility of exploitation and the many challenges surrogate mothers may face in terms of restrictive legal agreements and insufficient support after giving birth.

Groups advocating for people with disabilities have also raised alarms, citing the promotion of ableism and reports of intended parents abandoning children or pressuring surrogates into abortions based on genetic conditions.

In response, civil society has pushed for movements, such as the Declaration of Casablanca, aimed at advocating for the abolition of surrogacy worldwide. These efforts have garnered backing from influential leaders, including the late Pope Francis, who expressed that surrogacy violates the dignity of both the mother and child, reducing them to mere commodities.

International human rights law does not support any declared “right to a child,” but it does affirm that every child is entitled to rights from the moment of conception, including appropriate care and the chance to know their parents.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child acknowledges this by affirming protections before and after birth and stresses that children should not be separated from their parents unless absolutely necessary.

Legal guidelines specifically prohibit the sale of children, including actions tied to surrogacy that involve financial transactions. Many U.N. organizations have begun advocating for legislative reforms to completely ban the practice.

Recent calls from various U.N. officials have highlighted the need for comprehensive laws against child trafficking tied to commercial surrogacy, describing it as “a form of violence and exploitation” that perpetuates patriarchal norms.

While it’s important to empathize with couples facing infertility, we should not overlook the severe physical and emotional challenges borne by surrogate mothers and the children involved. Efforts should focus on abolishing the surrogacy system to prevent further abuse and ensure every child is embraced as a treasured gift.