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India unveils plans to ban surrogacy | India unveils plans to ban surrogacy |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Indian government has unveiled a draft law which would ban commercial surrogacy. | The Indian government has unveiled a draft law which would ban commercial surrogacy. |
If approved by parliament, the law will also ban people who do not hold an Indian passport, as well as Indian single parents and gay people, from having children through surrogacy. | If approved by parliament, the law will also ban people who do not hold an Indian passport, as well as Indian single parents and gay people, from having children through surrogacy. |
Infertile couples would be able to seek a surrogate, which must be a relative. | Infertile couples would be able to seek a surrogate, which must be a relative. |
Infertility groups have criticised the proposed law, saying it could lead to an illegal industry. | Infertility groups have criticised the proposed law, saying it could lead to an illegal industry. |
India surrogate mothers talk of pain of giving up baby | India surrogate mothers talk of pain of giving up baby |
Despair over ban in India's surrogacy hub | Despair over ban in India's surrogacy hub |
Living inside the house of surrogates | Living inside the house of surrogates |
Surrogate babies: Where can you have them, and is it legal? | |
India is called the "surrogacy hub" of the world, where infertile couples, including many from overseas, pay local women to carry their embryos through to birth. | India is called the "surrogacy hub" of the world, where infertile couples, including many from overseas, pay local women to carry their embryos through to birth. |
The industry is estimated to be worth more than $1bn (£65m) a year. But there have been growing concerns over the unregulated business. | The industry is estimated to be worth more than $1bn (£65m) a year. But there have been growing concerns over the unregulated business. |
'Comprehensive bill' | 'Comprehensive bill' |
Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that under the proposed law, only local infertile couples, married for at least five years, would be able to seek a surrogate, who must be a close relative | Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters that under the proposed law, only local infertile couples, married for at least five years, would be able to seek a surrogate, who must be a close relative |
"This is a comprehensive bill to completely ban commercial surrogacy," she told reporters. | "This is a comprehensive bill to completely ban commercial surrogacy," she told reporters. |
"Childless couples, who are medically unfit to have children, can take help from a close relative, which is called altruistic surrogacy," she said. | "Childless couples, who are medically unfit to have children, can take help from a close relative, which is called altruistic surrogacy," she said. |
Many have criticised the move, saying couples desperate to have children would be left with few options. | Many have criticised the move, saying couples desperate to have children would be left with few options. |
"While we need regulations to ensure that no women are forced into surrogacy, an outright ban isn't logical," fertility expert Archana Dhawan Bajaj told AFP news agency. | "While we need regulations to ensure that no women are forced into surrogacy, an outright ban isn't logical," fertility expert Archana Dhawan Bajaj told AFP news agency. |
Some have criticised the draft law, saying it takes away the rights of women. | Some have criticised the draft law, saying it takes away the rights of women. |
Others said the law discriminated against gay people. | Others said the law discriminated against gay people. |
India has one-third of the world's poorest people. Critics argue that poverty is a major factor driving women to become surrogate mothers in exchange for money. | India has one-third of the world's poorest people. Critics argue that poverty is a major factor driving women to become surrogate mothers in exchange for money. |
Have you used, or have you been planning to use, a surrogate mother in India? We'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this story. You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk and if you are happy to speak to a BBC journalist please include a telephone number. | Have you used, or have you been planning to use, a surrogate mother in India? We'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this story. You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk and if you are happy to speak to a BBC journalist please include a telephone number. |
You can also contact us in the following ways: | You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Read the terms and conditions. | Read the terms and conditions. |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |