As a cringe-worthy meme puts it, pets are the new kids, and plants are the new pets. This stops being funny when the preference for pets over humans spills into actual policy. 

For example, in the United Kingdom, there are now legal protections that require dog breeders not to separate puppies from their mothers until they are at least eight weeks old. There are no such protections for children born of surrogates.  

Humans are not mere animals. Every person has an inherent, distinct dignity from being made in the image and likeness of God. They cannot be compared, at least in value, to any other creatures, and they merit unique protections that honor their God-given value. Likewise, the mother-child relationship is the most foundational of all human relationships. Surrogacy cheapens it by commodifying it. Because of the mother-child relationship’s unique value, it should be specially protected. 

We all love our pets, but they should not have more legal rights than human moms.  

This Point was previously published on May 10, 2023.