In this episode, we sit down with Angela Hartshorn, board member of SEEDS, to unpack the ethical challenges shaping the future of egg donation and surrogacy. With over 32 years of experience in the fertility space—and a personal journey as both an egg donor and gestational surrogate—Angela brings a rare perspective on where the industry has been, where it’s headed, and why ethics must be at the center of it all.

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From escrow scandals and oversight gaps to the growing need for regulation, Angela doesn’t shy away from tough truths. She also highlights the work SEEDS is doing to define ethical practices, foster transparency, and create a community of accountability. Plus—she shares what to expect from the upcoming SEEDS conference in Costa Mesa, CA in November, where surrogacy professionals can engage with these issues firsthand.

(The Simbe team will be at SEEDS too, and would love to schedule some time with you!)

✨ Key Takeaways

• Ethical “guidelines” or ethical “illusions”? Who’s really holding us accountable?
• Trust isn’t built on contracts—it’s built on what we don’t say out loud.
• Escrow scandals aren’t anomalies. They’re warnings.
• Why don't we do a background check? It's easy and affordable....
• A moral compass is useless—unless you’re willing to follow it into uncomfortable places.
• Regulation isn’t a threat. It’s a mirror. Are we ready for what it reflects?