By Grace Y. Kao

My Body,

Their Baby

A Progressive Christian Vision for Surrogacy

At 41, Grace Kao gave birth to a baby girl for friends who had been yearning for a child for a decade. While a joyous occasion for them all, they also knew 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 assisted reproductive technology.

Meet the Author

Grace Y. Kao

Grace Kao is a Stanford- and Harvard-trained ethicist and former co-director of the Center for Sexuality, Gender, and Religion at Claremont School of Theology.

She is the author or co-editor of 4 books and recipient of 5 teaching awards. Beyond serving on the Board of Directors for several professional guilds, Dr. Kao keeps an active speaking schedule and has provided commentary to CNN, MSNBC, National Catholic Reporter, local NPR stations, Times Radio (London), ABC Australia, and elsewhere.

More About Grace

More Praise for Dr. Kao’s Latest Book

“A Must Read for Anyone Who Works in the Surrogacy Field”

“My Body, Their Baby is a unique book….Kao takes the arguments of opponents of surrogacy seriously, and presents a framework…that will appeal to progressive Christians and feminists. It is a must read for anyone who works in the surrogacy field…. As voices against surrogacy grow, it may be important for supporters of surrogacy to find persuasive arguments; that makes Kao’s book all the more a timely read.“

Tsong Law Group

“Kao’s work [is] compelling”

“As a Christian ethicist and mother of two, I found Kao’s work compelling. Scripture does not provide clear moral instruction on the complex matter of surrogacy. It does witness to the importance of community….Kao admits so herself: ‘Surrogacy can serve as a metaphor for a deep truth of our Christian tradition—the caring and rearing of children was always intended to be a communal affair, not simply the task of the parents alone’ (p. 100). This is a theological and ethical idea worth pondering.”

Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

“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.”

Women in Theology

“A rigorous yet accessible text that…diligently attends to all sides of various debates”

“By intertwining her own surrogacy experience with decades of research, Kao presents a rigorous yet accessible text that not only informs the reader about the logistics, laws, and practices of surrogacy, but also serves as a model for doing Christian ethics….

With great care and nuance, Kao diligently attends to all sides of various debates surrounding surrogacy from a Christian feminist perspective….This book will be a welcome addition to courses on sexual ethics, bioethics, and Christian ethics, providing an exceptional analysis of a highly contested subject. “

Reading Religion

“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

“Responsive to Its Complexities”

“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, Robert R. Waller Chair of Population Health, Rhodes College

“Her Work Shines With Creativity…and Care”

“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?

“Painstakingly researched and assessibly written”

“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

Grace Kao’s Other Books

Upcoming Events

Mar 4-6, 2026

Reproductive Justice Futurism • Smith College

Dr. Kao will once again speak (on “surrogacy writ large”) at the second Reproductive Justice Futurisms conference while also serving again on the planning team. This conference is co-organized by Loretta Ross of Smith College & Jallicia Jolly of Amherst College.

May 10-15, 2026

APARRI Managing Board Retreat • Hawaii

Dr. Kao will be meeting with the managing board of APARRI for a 5-day planning meeting/retreat.

Jun 11-13, 2026

Program Co-Chair, APARRI • UC Berkeley

Dr. Kao will reprise her role as program co-chair at the upcoming APARRI conference at UC Berkeley with conference theme “Hope and Struggle: Navigating Today, Nurturing Tomorrow.”