Surrogacy Ethics, Standards and Community: A Conversation with Adrienne Black, President of Seeds

Adrienne Black, President of SEEDS (Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy), shares a candid perspective on surrogacy ethics, surrogacy standards, and the future of accountability in surrogacy.

What is changing in the surrogacy industry in 2026?
In this episode of The Future of Surrogacy, Adrienne Black—President of SEEDS and owner of Heart to Hands Surrogacy—breaks down how the industry is evolving, where ethical standards are tightening, and what still needs to change.

With nearly a decade of industry insight and extensive personal experience as a four-time surrogate, Adrienne brings a direct, principled perspective on what it means to operate responsibly in a rapidly growing and increasingly scrutinized field.

What role does SEEDS play in surrogacy standards and regulation?
Adrienne explains how SEEDS is working to elevate professional standards across agencies, attorneys, and clinics—while navigating the tension between guidance and enforcement...The conversation explores:
- Whether SEEDS should move toward regulatory authority
- The risks of both under-regulation and over-regulation
- Why SEEDS is hiring a full-time Operations Manager to help facilitate the day-to-day

What are the biggest ethical challenges in surrogacy today?
This episode tackles some of the most debated issues in modern surrogacy, including:
- Compensation structures and ethical boundaries
- Paid advertising and recruitment of surrogates
- The gap between stated standards and enforced behavior

Adrienne also addresses her reputation for holding high ethical standards—and why, when you boil it down, ethics is really about ensuring safety for everyone involved.

00:00 – Leadership Transition at SEEDS
01:07 – Adrienne’s Vision for the Industry
04:43 – What “Standards” Actually Mean
08:49 – Accountability and Enforcement
11:49 – SEEDS 2026 Conference Preview
14:48 – Why Community Matters
16:06 – Ethics in Practice
18:38 – Where the Industry Falls Short
21:45 – How Surrogacy Has Evolved
25:04 – Regulation: What Comes Next?
28:40 – Rapid Fire: Taking a Stand

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