Made in India

Directed by Rebecca Haimowitz and Vaishali Sinha

Lisa and Brian Switzer, an infertile American couple, seek surrogacy help in India after they realize it is too expensive in America. This is a story of their journey and the bumps in the road along the way.

Summary

Cultural differences› Having a baby without a man› Standard of living› Money

Film’s Message

A different perspective on surrogacy› It’s not right or wrong› Birth parents aren’t being selfish› Beneficial for both sides› Last resort for both parties

Film’s Message

Understand the complexities of surrogacy› Why a family would do it› How it affects both parties› The business aspect

Film’s Message

Human rights› How much can you “scam” a

person for your business?› “Buying” a person› Husband-wife relationship› Women’s choices

Film’s Message

The notion of motherhood› Do you have to give birth to a child to be

their mother?› What rights should the surrogate have

after the baby is born?

Film’s Message

Many different perspectives› Doctors› The Switzers› Rudy Rupak- One founder of Planet

Hospital› American community› Surrogate mother› Surrogate family

Communication

Engaging› Kept the audience

entertained which made it easier for them to grasp the film’s message

› Some humor- kept it light

› Empathize with the characters

Communication

Feel a connection with both the Switzers and the surrogate mother.

Audience Response

Understand the decisions that were made and why.

Audience Response

Don’t judge before you know all the details in a situation.

Audience Response

Feel whatever emotions the people in the movie were feeling.

Audience Response

Have a new awareness of each of the cultures portrayed in the film.

Audience Response

Home video› More personal– easier to connect with Switzer family.

Sources

Personal accounts (interviews)› Surrogate› Surrogate family› Switzers› Doctors› Rudy Rupak› Hospital Executives

Sources

What is the role of the individual in the modern world?

Don’t judge others based on their culture.› Learn why people do the things they do

Why surrogacy was the best option› Cultural differences

Having a baby without a man Money Way of life Standard of living

› Become more worldly Have a better understanding of the cultures around

you.

Course Questions

What is the role of the individual in the modern world?

Economically› Buy things to fuel the economy

Pay for surrogate and surrogacy services› Realize the different impact money has

in different countries How much the surrogate is being paid in

India Cost of surrogacy in the United States

vs. India

Course Questions

What is the role of the individual in the modern world?

Realize the impact your decisions will have on the people around you.› Choosing surrogacy› Impact doctors will have by running

these programs› Offering more affordable surrogacy in

another country

Course Questions

What is the role of the individual in the modern world?

Know the legal and ethical implications of your choices.› Not everyone agrees surrogacy is

“politically correct” Buying a person Using them Other options Not being paid equally

Course Questions

How have human choices had a local and global impact?

Every choice you make has an impact on others in some way or another.› The Switzer’s choice to go through

surrogacy in India impacted those that heard their story as well as the surrogate and her family.

Course Questions

Is surrogacy a violation of human rights because you are “buying” a person?

Questions

Should people judge surrogacy differently based on if it is happening in the United States or in a poorer country?

Questions

As this becomes a more relevant topic in society what laws will be put in place?

Questions

What regulations will have to be made between companies such as Planet Hospital and the hospitals in foreign countries where these surrogates are actually giving birth?

Questions

If I was desperate to have a child and had seen the Switzer’s experience in India would I consider doing the same thing?

Questions