Grace Y. Kao is Professor of Ethics and founding co-director of the Center for Sexuality, Gender, and Religion at Claremont School of Theology. She co-edited Encountering the Sacred: Feminist Reflections on Women's Lives (with Rebecca Todd Peters, 2018).

"The world needs more scholars like Grace Kao. With thoughtful rigor and deeply human tenderness, she provides a faithful framework for understanding surrogacy. Her cogent, compassionate arguments illuminate a practice that is often consigned to the shadows, and her work shines with creativity, empathy, and care."—Jeff Chu, author of Does Jesus Really Love Me? "Drawing on her own experience both as a surrogate and a Christian theologian, Kao makes a powerful and rigorously argued Christian ethical case for surrogacy. An invaluable resource for parents, pastors, and all concerned with reproduction and its ethical implications."—Susan A. Ross, Loyola University Chicago, author of Anthropology: Seeking Light and Beauty "Kao's descriptions of her experience as a surrogate succeed in bringing the moral arguments for and against surrogacy into sharper focus. This insightful book shows us how narratives shape our moral visions."—Aline Kalbian, Florida State University, author of Sex, Violence, and Justice "This book breaks the ice on Christian feminist reluctance to think about surrogacy. Painstakingly researched and accessibly written, it will not only inspire needed attention to surrogacy but also influence the whole landscape of Christian ethics of reproduction."—Cristina Traina, Fordham University, author of Erotic Attunement "This book provides an expansive Christian vision for surrogacy that bravely probes complex social ethics questions surrounding it. Kao's accessibly articulated and social justice–oriented guidelines offer a roadmap for decision-making that contributes fresh, thought-provoking analysis to feminist reproductive ethics."—Traci C. West, Drew University Theological School, author of Solidarity and Defiant Spirituality "Kao masterfully weaves together personal narrative, exploration of data, and engagement with scholarly sources in an accessible theology of surrogacy that is responsive to its complexities and generous to her interlocutors."—Kendra G. Hotz, Rhodes College, author of Dust and Breath "Masterfully integrating her own captivating story of serving as a surrogate mom at age 40 for close friends, Kao builds a compelling ethical framework for understanding surrogacy.... This is a must-read study for those curious about surrogacy and those interested in thoughtful, systematic deliberations about a complex ethical issue. Essential."—P. K. Steinfeld, CHOICE "Grace Y. Kao's My Body, Their Baby: A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy is a wonderful book. Solidly researched and well-written, Kao provides a much needed resource on the practice and ethics of surrogacy. Anchoring the project with stories of her own journey as a surrogate, Kao not only affirms experience as a vital source of moral wisdom but demonstrates its value. There are ethical questions and complexities to surrogacy that would be easy to miss if not for her insider knowledge."—Kristyn Sessions, Women in Theology "Surrogacy has long been understudied, underdiscussed, and even dismissed in Christian circles. Kao courageously begins the conversation by marrying a sophisticated argument, stemming from her expertise in ethics, gender, and sexuality, with her personal experience as a surrogate mother."—Aimee Patterson, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

• Introduction1. A Primer on Surrogacy: Logistics, Laws, and Trends2. Does Surrogacy Cause Psychological Harm?3. Does Surrogacy Violate Distinctive Feminist or Christian Commitments?4. A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy: Advancing the Argument5. A Progressive Christian Framework for Surrogacy: Seven Principles6. Assessing the Ethics of More Complex Surrogacy ArrangementsConclusion

Grace Y. Kao is Professor of Ethics and founding co-director of the Center for Sexuality, Gender, and Religion at Claremont School of Theology. She co-edited Encountering the Sacred: Feminist Reflections on Women's Lives (with Rebecca Todd Peters, 2018).

"The world needs more scholars like Grace Kao. With thoughtful rigor and deeply human tenderness, she provides a faithful framework for understanding surrogacy. Her cogent, compassionate arguments illuminate a practice that is often consigned to the shadows, and her work shines with creativity, empathy, and care."—Jeff Chu, author of Does Jesus Really Love Me? "Drawing on her own experience both as a surrogate and a Christian theologian, Kao makes a powerful and rigorously argued Christian ethical case for surrogacy. An invaluable resource for parents, pastors, and all concerned with reproduction and its ethical implications."—Susan A. Ross, Loyola University Chicago, author of Anthropology: Seeking Light and Beauty "Kao's descriptions of her experience as a surrogate succeed in bringing the moral arguments for and against surrogacy into sharper focus. This insightful book shows us how narratives shape our moral visions."—Aline Kalbian, Florida State University, author of Sex, Violence, and Justice "This book breaks the ice on Christian feminist reluctance to think about surrogacy. Painstakingly researched and accessibly written, it will not only inspire needed attention to surrogacy but also influence the whole landscape of Christian ethics of reproduction."—Cristina Traina, Fordham University, author of Erotic Attunement "This book provides an expansive Christian vision for surrogacy that bravely probes complex social ethics questions surrounding it. Kao's accessibly articulated and social justice–oriented guidelines offer a roadmap for decision-making that contributes fresh, thought-provoking analysis to feminist reproductive ethics."—Traci C. West, Drew University Theological School, author of Solidarity and Defiant Spirituality "Kao masterfully weaves together personal narrative, exploration of data, and engagement with scholarly sources in an accessible theology of surrogacy that is responsive to its complexities and generous to her interlocutors."—Kendra G. Hotz, Rhodes College, author of Dust and Breath "Masterfully integrating her own captivating story of serving as a surrogate mom at age 40 for close friends, Kao builds a compelling ethical framework for understanding surrogacy.... This is a must-read study for those curious about surrogacy and those interested in thoughtful, systematic deliberations about a complex ethical issue. Essential."—P. K. Steinfeld, CHOICE "Grace Y. Kao's My Body, Their Baby: A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy is a wonderful book. Solidly researched and well-written, Kao provides a much needed resource on the practice and ethics of surrogacy. Anchoring the project with stories of her own journey as a surrogate, Kao not only affirms experience as a vital source of moral wisdom but demonstrates its value. There are ethical questions and complexities to surrogacy that would be easy to miss if not for her insider knowledge."—Kristyn Sessions, Women in Theology "Surrogacy has long been understudied, underdiscussed, and even dismissed in Christian circles. Kao courageously begins the conversation by marrying a sophisticated argument, stemming from her expertise in ethics, gender, and sexuality, with her personal experience as a surrogate mother."—Aimee Patterson, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

• Introduction1. A Primer on Surrogacy: Logistics, Laws, and Trends2. Does Surrogacy Cause Psychological Harm?3. Does Surrogacy Violate Distinctive Feminist or Christian Commitments?4. A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy: Advancing the Argument5. A Progressive Christian Framework for Surrogacy: Seven Principles6. Assessing the Ethics of More Complex Surrogacy ArrangementsConclusion

Grace Y. Kao is Professor of Ethics and founding co-director of the Center for Sexuality, Gender, and Religion at Claremont School of Theology. She co-edited Encountering the Sacred: Feminist Reflections on Women's Lives (with Rebecca Todd Peters, 2018).

"The world needs more scholars like Grace Kao. With thoughtful rigor and deeply human tenderness, she provides a faithful framework for understanding surrogacy. Her cogent, compassionate arguments illuminate a practice that is often consigned to the shadows, and her work shines with creativity, empathy, and care."—Jeff Chu, author of Does Jesus Really Love Me? "Drawing on her own experience both as a surrogate and a Christian theologian, Kao makes a powerful and rigorously argued Christian ethical case for surrogacy. An invaluable resource for parents, pastors, and all concerned with reproduction and its ethical implications."—Susan A. Ross, Loyola University Chicago, author of Anthropology: Seeking Light and Beauty "Kao's descriptions of her experience as a surrogate succeed in bringing the moral arguments for and against surrogacy into sharper focus. This insightful book shows us how narratives shape our moral visions."—Aline Kalbian, Florida State University, author of Sex, Violence, and Justice "This book breaks the ice on Christian feminist reluctance to think about surrogacy. Painstakingly researched and accessibly written, it will not only inspire needed attention to surrogacy but also influence the whole landscape of Christian ethics of reproduction."—Cristina Traina, Fordham University, author of Erotic Attunement "This book provides an expansive Christian vision for surrogacy that bravely probes complex social ethics questions surrounding it. Kao's accessibly articulated and social justice–oriented guidelines offer a roadmap for decision-making that contributes fresh, thought-provoking analysis to feminist reproductive ethics."—Traci C. West, Drew University Theological School, author of Solidarity and Defiant Spirituality "Kao masterfully weaves together personal narrative, exploration of data, and engagement with scholarly sources in an accessible theology of surrogacy that is responsive to its complexities and generous to her interlocutors."—Kendra G. Hotz, Rhodes College, author of Dust and Breath "Masterfully integrating her own captivating story of serving as a surrogate mom at age 40 for close friends, Kao builds a compelling ethical framework for understanding surrogacy.... This is a must-read study for those curious about surrogacy and those interested in thoughtful, systematic deliberations about a complex ethical issue. Essential."—P. K. Steinfeld, CHOICE "Grace Y. Kao's My Body, Their Baby: A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy is a wonderful book. Solidly researched and well-written, Kao provides a much needed resource on the practice and ethics of surrogacy. Anchoring the project with stories of her own journey as a surrogate, Kao not only affirms experience as a vital source of moral wisdom but demonstrates its value. There are ethical questions and complexities to surrogacy that would be easy to miss if not for her insider knowledge."—Kristyn Sessions, Women in Theology "Surrogacy has long been understudied, underdiscussed, and even dismissed in Christian circles. Kao courageously begins the conversation by marrying a sophisticated argument, stemming from her expertise in ethics, gender, and sexuality, with her personal experience as a surrogate mother."—Aimee Patterson, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

• Introduction1. A Primer on Surrogacy: Logistics, Laws, and Trends2. Does Surrogacy Cause Psychological Harm?3. Does Surrogacy Violate Distinctive Feminist or Christian Commitments?4. A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy: Advancing the Argument5. A Progressive Christian Framework for Surrogacy: Seven Principles6. Assessing the Ethics of More Complex Surrogacy ArrangementsConclusion