Govt moves to banish commercial surrogacy

The minister was also critical of what she called a “celebrity culture”, apparently hinting at actor Shah Rukh Khan whose third baby was born through surrogacy in 2013, triggering an ethical controversy.

“It has become a culture among celebrities. For them, getting a child through surrogacy has become a fashion, a trend… not a necessity,” Swaraj said.

The government plans to bring the bill, that will allow a woman to act as a surrogate mother only once in her lifetime, in the winter session of Parliament. The law also fixes the age of commissioning parents -- female between 23-50 years, male between 26-55 years.

The government move drew criticism from experts and activists.

“It will result in total death of surrogacy, driving the industry underground. Infertile couples for whom assisted reproductive technology provides hope will be the worst hit. What if both the partners are single child?”asked Dr Nayna Patil, medical director of Akanksha Hospital and Research Institute, which runs one of India’s oldest surrogacy clinic in Anand, Gujarat.

Advocate Anurag Chawla of the Delhi-based Surrogacy Laws described the law as “too tough” poor for women who rent their womb for improving DR NAYNA PATIL, medical director of Akanksha Hospital and Research Institute in Anand, Gujarat

It will result in total death of surrogacy, driving the industry underground. Infertile couples for whom assisted reproductive technology provides hope will be the worst hit. What if both the partners are single child?

their financial condition.

While commercial surrogacy is banned in countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, and France, it has exploded in India over the past decade with many couples, especially foreigners, flocking to the country, partly because its doctors and clinics broker the service at a relatively low cost.

The draft bill makes it mandatory for all surrogacy clinics to register with the government. Violaters will face jail term of five years and a fine of `10 lakh.