Veteran Surrogacy Firm Faces Hoover Institution Probe Over Business Allegations

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A U.S. Army veteran and founder of a surrogacy firm accused of catering to wealthy Chinese nationals is under investigation by his former employer, the Hoover Institution, over alleged misrepresentation of his business activities. Haotian Bai, a 37-year-old veteran, founded Patriot Conceptions, a surrogacy company based in Irvine, California, which recently gained attention after a surrogate named Judy revealed she was carrying a child intended for Chinese billionaire Xu Bo, who is reported to have fathered over 100 children through such arrangements.

Surrogacy Firm and Controversial Business Model

Patriot Conceptions has made headlines for its services, which have reportedly included facilitating surrogacy for international clients, including Chinese nationals. According to a report by the New York Post, the company is described as a ‘baby factory’ for Chinese nationals seeking American children. Judy, the surrogate, told CBS News that she was informed the intended parent was a single father looking to expand his family, though the identity of the parent was later revealed to be Xu Bo.

Hoover Institution Investigation and Allegations of Misrepresentation

The Hoover Institution, where Bai previously held a fellowship, has updated his author page to state that he is no longer affiliated with them. The institution has launched an investigation into Bai’s application process for the fellowship, which focused on veteran access to IVF through military healthcare. The update states that recent media reports have raised concerns that Bai ‘misled’ the Institution about the nature of his businesses.

The Institution’s statement reads, ‘In light of recent media reports, it is clear that Mr. Bai misled the Institution on the nature of his businesses. A full internal review of the application process to the Veteran Fellowship Program will be conducted by institutional leadership, and necessary changes will be implemented immediately.’

Spokesperson Denies Allegations of Misrepresentation

Kate Gardiner, a spokesperson for Bai, denied the allegations that he ‘misled’ the Hoover Institution. She stated that Bai was selected for the fellowship after going through a normal application process in 2023. ‘There was no point at which Mr. Bai ‘misled’ the Hoover Institution about his research or his intentions,’ Gardiner said.

Gardiner added that during his fellowship, Bai primarily researched facilitating reproductive care for those using Tricare, and the results of that work continue to be part of Patriot’s business model. She emphasized that the Institution’s own published profile of Bai described Patriot Conceptions as a comprehensive platform facilitating connections between intended parents and surrogates and egg donors—a commercial surrogacy business.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Gardiner addressed the legal and ethical concerns surrounding the company’s services, stating that Patriot Conceptions ‘has only one active surrogacy journey involving Xu Bo,’ and that they ‘were not aware of any other surrogacy arrangements’ when they engaged with him. She emphasized that the company does not make legal decisions for either party and does not compel any party to accept a match or contractual terms.

‘We reject inflammatory labels and political insinuations mischaracterizing lawful third-party reproduction and the families, gestational carriers, and professionals involved in it,’ Gardiner said. ‘Neither Patriot Conceptions nor its founder have any affiliation with a foreign government, political party, military organization, or intelligence service.’

Background and Institutional Profile

The previous description of Bai on the Hoover Institution’s website stated that Patriot Conceptions ‘has dramatically transformed the third-party reproduction industry,’ according to The Stanford Review. The company ‘offers a comprehensive platform that facilitates connections between intended parents and surrogates and egg donors,’ and ‘Under Bai’s leadership, the company has developed a national network offering specialized services, significantly aiding hundreds of families in realizing their dreams of parenthood.’

The Institution’s profile also highlighted the company’s commitment to military families, providing special discounts to service members and veterans, reflecting Bai’s continuous dedication to supporting his fellow servicemen and -women. The description noted that Bai exemplifies a unique blend of patriotism, hard work, and technological insight, making significant impacts in each sector he touches.

Legal and Communications Response

Patriot Conceptions is now ‘working with legal and communications counsel to request corrections’ to any misleading information. Gardiner dismissed allegations in ‘recent media reports’ surrounding the agency and Bai, saying they ‘contain significant factual inaccuracies and misleading implications.’

Gardiner described Patriot Conceptions as a California-based family-building agency providing surrogacy and egg-donation coordination services to a diverse community, including American individuals and couples experiencing infertility, LGBTQ+ families, single-intended parents, military families, and international families. She emphasized that the company’s work includes coordination, communication, and support among all parties and professionals involved in the process.

Conclusion and Implications

The investigation by the Hoover Institution into Bai’s application process and the allegations of misrepresentation raise significant questions about the transparency and ethical standards of the surrogacy industry. As the investigation unfolds, the implications for Bai and his company could be far-reaching, affecting their reputation, business operations, and potential legal liabilities. The case also highlights the broader issues of international surrogacy and the ethical considerations surrounding such practices in the United States.

Source: Daily Wire

Written by

claire.thomson