SEEDS is aware of an evolving situation involving an agency-held escrow arrangement that has raised concerns within the assisted reproduction community. While we are not directly involved in the matter and do not yet have full information, we understand that situations like this can cause significant uncertainty and distress for surrogates, intended parents, and professionals alike. We also want to clarify that the accused party is not a member of SEEDS.

This is precisely why SEEDS established clear Agency Standards and Escrow Standards to help safeguard all parties and promote ethical, transparent, and accountable practices across the field. Our guidelines emphasize separation of roles, proper financial oversight, the use of independent escrow management when appropriate, and consistent adherence to ethical, legal, and fiduciary responsibilities.

Our mission has always been to reduce preventable risks and to encourage strong, ethical frameworks that protect the integrity of the surrogacy process. While no set of standards can eliminate every potential concern, they serve as an essential foundation for agencies and professionals to rely on to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that client funds are properly managed.

SEEDS will continue to monitor the situation as information becomes available, and we remain committed to supporting best practices that uphold the trust placed in our industry. We encourage all agencies and professionals to familiarize themselves with and implement the SEEDS Standards as part of their daily operations. In addition, SEEDS plans to host a Brown Bag educational event in the near future to help professionals navigate situations like this in a thoughtful, informed, and ethical manner.