Lok Sabha clears bill to ban commercial surrogacy

This Will Now Check Exploitation Of Surrogate Mothers

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016 which aims at banning commercial surrogacy to protect women from exploitation even as it proposes to allow altruistic surrogacy for infertile Indian couples by a “close relative”. The couple also has to be legally married for at least five years.

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016 which aims at banning commercial surrogacy to protect women from exploitation even as it proposes to allow altruistic surrogacy by infertile Indian couples from a “close relative” only. The couple also has to be legally married for at least five years and possess a certificate from a doctor stating that they are medically unfit to produce a child, according to the provisions of the bill.

Singles, homosexuals and live-in couples cannot apply for surrogacy. Besides, couples who already have children will also not be allowed to opt for surrogacy. The bill entitles only Indian citizens to avail of surrogacy, whereas foreigners, NRIs, and PIOs are not allowed to commission surrogacy in the country.