Baby Bloom

It is evident from your cover story that poverty is a curse as no surrogate is from an affluent family (“The Baby Factory”, September 2). Is it not an inexpedient exploitation of poverty? In the present scenario, since there is no law or predefined set of rules, the practice of surrogacy might degenerate into a dubious market, in which the unscrupulous middlemen will misappropriate the major portion of the money and the poor will remain poor, receiving only a small amount of the total money charged. Therefore, the Government should look into the issue and ensure that adequate money is paid to the surrogates. INDU SHANKAR, Varanasi Dr Nayana Patel’s efforts in turning Gujarat’s Anand district into a surrogacy hub are laudable. It is a radiant illustration of the finest medical services available in a state that boasts of accomplishments in almost all fields. Surrogacy is a win- win solution— for parents who can’t have children as well as poverty- stricken women who alleviate their economic status by becoming surrogates. Religious leaders, orthodox elements, disapproving family members and acquaintances of surrogates should imbibe some sense and see the procedure for what it actually is, a gift. NEEHARIKA S., Allahabad India can have a national surrogacy centre which can provide children to couples with pregnancy problems while restricting mass production of children. The centre can also look after surrogate women, raise their socio- economic profile, attend to their health issues, diet and provide emotional support. Meanwhile, we need better surrogacy laws so that neither the technique nor the women who are opting to be surrogates are exploited and, thus, its commercial aspect is contained. SANJIV GUPTA, Perth, Australia