Spanish Actress’ Surrogate Baby Is Her Late Son’s

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When celebrities announce that they’ve had a baby via surrogacy, it doesn’t shock the world that much anymore.

But Spanish TV star Ana Obregón’s revelation of having a surrogate baby using his late son’s sperm did. Legally, his makes her the baby’s mother. But biologically, she is the grandmother.

Read the article about Spanish TV actress Ana Obregón’s surrogate baby who was fathered by her deceased son.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65186636

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Define “bear”here, “While ¡Hola! magazine’s front page carried a picture of the TV actress and the new baby, another Spanish magazine, Lecturas, featured the surrogate mother who bore Ana Sandra.” Use this word in your own sentence.
2. What does “rule out” mean, “She refuses to rule out providing her granddaughter with a brother or sister.”? Give a similar word or phrase and use ‘rule out’ in your own sentence.
3. What does ”to take something upon oneself” mean, “Ana Obregón has taken it upon herself to interpret her dead son’s wishes and that is going too far.”? Give a similar word or phrase and use ‘to take something upon oneself’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of Obregón’s saying she did this to fulfill his dying son’s final wish? Do you think there is an ethical issue here? Explain.
2. Share your thoughts on this: “She (Obregón) refuses to rule out providing her granddaughter with a brother or sister.” 
3. Legally the actress is the baby’s mother, even if she is biologically her grandmother. Any thoughts on this?
4. What are your thoughts on surrogacy being illegal in Spain?
5. In general, what is your opinion about surrogacy?