US:A Los Angeles fertility clinic has launched what it says is the first dedicated programme for gay men wanting to become parents.
The Fertility Institutes, already a pioneer in the controversial area of gender selection, said it was responding to huge demand from male couples around the world who want their own biological children but are often thwarted by prejudice and bureaucracy.
"There are a lot of centres that dibble and dabble in this, but we are the only programme for gay men that has psychological, legal, medical, surrogates, donors and patients all taken care of in one place," Dr Jeffrey Steinberg, director of The Fertility Institutes, said in an interview.
"The demand is incredible. The United States has always been busy but we are seeing more and more demand from abroad."
The last few years have seen a large increase in the number of gay men who want to father children using surrogate mothers rather than opting for adoption, which is difficult or impossible for homosexuals or lesbians in several US states.
Gay male couples seeking parenthood usually have to go to different agencies to find surrogate mothers, egg donors, lawyers and medical treatment. Potential surrogate mothers often opt out when they discover the couple is gay, partly because of perceptions that homosexuals have a higher risk of contracting certain diseases.
The average cost is about $60,000 and three-quarters of gay couples pay extra to choose the their baby's gender. - ( Reuters )