By Grace Y. Kao

My Body,

Their Baby

A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy

At the age of 41, Grace Kao gave birth to a baby girl for a set of friends who had been yearning for a child for a decade. While a joyous occasion for them, surrogacy remains one of the most controversial methods of family expansion worldwide.

This first-of-its-kind book by a feminist and former surrogate will intrigue anyone who has ever struggled with infertility, pondered what it would be like to bear and hand over a child for others to raise, or attempted to sort through the moral complexities of reproductive technology.

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Winner of two Book Awards in 2024

Meet the Author

Grace Y. Kao

Grace Kao is a Stanford- and Harvard-trained Professor of Ethics, the inaugural Sano Professor of Pacific and Asian American Theology, and a founding co-director of the Center for Sexuality, Gender, and Religion (2010-2022) at Claremont School of Theology.

She is the author or co-editor of 4 books and recipient of 5 teaching awards. Dr. Kao also keeps an active speaking schedule and has provided commentary to CNN, MSNBC, National Catholic Reporter, local NPR stations, Times Radio (London), and elsewhere.

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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?

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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, Past President of the Society of Christian Ethics

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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 Hotz, Author of Dust and Breath: Faith, Health, and Why the Church Should Care about Both

READ MY OPINION

More Praise for Dr. Kao’s Latest Book

“Solidly researched…a much needed resource”

“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

“A Must-Read Study….Essential”

“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-ready study for those curious about surrogacy and those interested in thoughtful, systematic deliberations about a complex ethical issue. Essential.”

CHOICE Magazine — A publication of the Association of College Research Libraries

“Kao’s Contribution as an Ethicist is…Greatly Needed”

“If you are interested in, affected by, or tangentially curious about issues related to Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), particularly surrogacy, you must read this book….Kao’s target audiences include feminists and progressive Christians….Because of the many people and families currently open to and actively seeking avenues that allow them to build their desired families, Kao’s contribution as an ethicist is particularly of note and greatly needed in this area of scholarship.”

Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics

“Will be well received by many Christians”

“While this is a scholarly book…I did find it to be relatively accessible. That is, although I read the book from the perspective of a nonexpert in the field, I could generally follow the arguments Kao was making….[T]hat is due to Kao’s skill as a writer, but it is also due to the very personal nature of the issue at hand….We encounter discussions of theology, the Bible, and science, as well as her own story (autobiography). It’s that use of a personal story that keeps the reader connected to the discussion.”

Word & Way

“Will generate lively discussion”

“This is a scholarly work that will generate lively discussion in a seminary or even an adult ed class….It’s sufficiently accessible to guide church leaders who work in reproductive justice or who hunger for progressive Christian approaches to ethics and theology. And it’s practical.”

Presbyterian Outlook

“Inspired in Part by a Plotline from ‘Friends'”

“The book is both personal and philosophical — giving a firsthand account of surrogacy as well as detailing the legal, ethical and spiritual issues involved.”

Religion News Service

“Essential Resource for Progressive Reproductive Ethics”

“Emphasizing the shared importance of experience to both feminist and Christian understandings, she breaks down prevailing objections to surrogacy with the cogency and conciseness of a practiced theologian while at the same time sharing deeply emotional stories of joy surrounding her own surrogacy journey. In My Body, Their Baby, Kao offers an essential resource for progressive reproductive ethics that speaks directly-and accessibly-to the Biblically engaged.”

Project on Lived Theology

“Expansive Christian Vision”

“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: Africana Lessons on Religion, Racism, and Ending Gender Violence

“Invaluable Resource”

“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

“Insightful Book”

“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: Contraception and the Catholic Church

BOOK LAUNCH VIDEO

Announcing the Summer 2023 publication of My Body, Their Baby: A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy

Other Books

Upcoming Events

Jan 24, 2025

Political Theology Group • online

Grace Kao has been invited to discuss her work on surrogacy with her transpacific Asian/Asian American political theology group.

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Mar 12-14, 2025

Reproductive Justice Futurism • Smith & Amherst Colleges

Dr. Kao will be participating (as a member of the planing team) in the RJ Futurism conference headed by Professors Loretta Ross & Jallicia Jolly.

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Mar 27, 2025

PANAAWTM • Columbia Theological Seminary

Dr. Kao will be delivering remarks on the opening panel of the 40th anniversary conference of the Pacific, Asian, and North American Asian Women in Theology and Ministry (PANAAWTM) network.

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