SURROGACY

Allow us to make a few corrections to “And Baby Makes Four” (by Martin Kasindorf, Jan. 20). First, I never stated nor implied that the Calverts did not go forward with our program because of finances. That was their decision, and no reason was given. Furthermore, the Calverts paid the center $2,000 for legal advice, counsel and the use of the contract, not $3,500 as you stated.

Second, Anna Johnson never called or visited or applied to the center to be a surrogate. Her claim that she had been accepted by our center is preposterous. Surrogates are accepted into our program at the end of a four-month process that involves psychological and medical screening, as well as a thorough background check. If the surrogate qualifies, she receives a written letter of acceptance. Not one person on our staff of 10 has ever met with Anna Johnson.

We work very hard and are most comprehensive in our approach to surrogate parenting. Because of our team’s thorough efforts over the past 11 years, we are proud to state that we have never had a surrogate refuse to relinquish her rights to, or turn over the child to her couple. Surrogacy works when one deals with dedicated and committed women who are doing it for better and more lofty reasons than money or publicity.

WILLIAM W. HANDEL

DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR

SURROGATE PARENTING

Beverly Hills

Martin Kasindorf replies: Memories simply differ on how much Mark and Crispina Calvert paid Handel to draft their surrogacy contract. In court testimony, Crispina Calvert had said it was $2,500, but in a later interview Mark Calvert recalled the amount as $3,500. Mark was certain that Handel told the couple in early 1989 that, based on their financial statements, they could afford his agency’s $47,000 fee.