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Assisted Reproduction

Baby Gammy Granted Australian Citizenship

Baby Gammy, the baby at the center of the Thai surrogacy controversy is granted Australian citizenship.

Baby gammy

Baby Gammy, an infant who was left behind in Thailand by his Australian parents in a major surrogacy scandal, has been granted Australian citizenship.

The ABC reported on Tuesday that Gammy’s Thai mother, Pattaramon Chanbua, applied for citizenship for her baby, who has Down’s syndrome and has suffered a series of health problems that have required medical treatment.

Baby Gammy’s story gained international attention after it was revealed in August that the Australian parents who negotiated the surrogacy arrangement, Wendy and David Farnell, left him behind in Thailand while taking their other child Pipah, who was healthy, back to Australia.

In a TV interview the Australian parents of Gammy had previously said they wanted a refund from the Thai surrogacy agency when they were told one of their twins would be born with Down’s syndrome, and would have requested the pregnancy be aborted.

“It was late into the pregnancy that we learned the boy had Down’s,” David Farnell said. “They sent us the reports but they didn’t do the checks early enough. If it would have been safe for that embryo to be terminated, we probably would have terminated it, because he has a handicap and this is a sad thing. And it would be difficult – not impossible, but difficult.”

Farnell has been previously convicted of 22 child sex offences and spent time in prison. The Department for Child Protection has initiated an investigation into the matter.

Discussion

2 comments for “Baby Gammy Granted Australian Citizenship”

  • Pingback: The Spin Doctor | Thailand Bans Foreign "Surrogacy Business"()

  • Mandy Berns

    I can tell you about surrogacy in Ukraine, cause thanks to them I grow up my daughter. Since it is illegal in my country, I was looking for the opportunity to birth child abroad, where the surrogacy is legal. After reviewing a large number of clinics, we stayed at the clinic BioTexCom in Ukraine. They offered an ‘all inclusive’ package that we were very happy with, as we were only focused on winning. They proposed unlimited attempts and guaranteed result. Accommodation, meals, transfer from airport, translator were also included in one price. We were worried so much, the offer was very tempting… But we were frightened by rumors about Ukraine and its service. But there were no many options and we decided to try. I have never regretted that I decided to choose surrogacy and egg donation in Ukraine. The
    accommodation was ok, really much more better than I expected. Girls-managers really supported me when I was close to despair because of first failure. Now we do continue our communications. So if you consider the ivf abroad, Ukraine made us happy parents, I recommend to try. You can find their site and try to connect and learn their prices and proposes for today. Don’t regret the opportunity to be a parent.

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