This article analyzes the most recent Italian debate on surrogacy, using the concept of cultural anomaly as described by anthropologist Mary Douglas. Surrogacy is a complex phenomenon that involves different levels of analysis that intersect with the fields of scientific ethics, law, re/production and motherhood. The authors argue that it is necessary to investigate all the doubts and worries that surrogacy practices raise, since in Italy as in other contexts, the mainstream debate on surrogacy often narrows the possibility of delving into the discussion.