Recently, the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020 was passed in the Lok Sabha.
The Bill seeks to regulate and supervise Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinics and ART banks, prevent misuse of technology services, practice safe and ethical practices, etc.
The need for this is being felt as India has been established as one of the major centers of the global fertility industry. In this, reproductive medicine tourism has become an important activity.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Definition of ART:
ART includes all techniques in which a sperm or an oocyte (immature egg cell) is administered outside the human body in an attempt to achieve pregnancy. In this process gametes or embryos are transferred to the reproductive system of a woman.
- Regulation of ART Clinics and Banks:
- It is mandatory for every ART clinic and bank to be registered under the National Registry of Clinics and Banks in India.
- Conditions for coupler donation and supply and for providing ART services have also been laid down.
- The child born through ART will be considered as the biological child of the couple who has performed the procedure. He shall be entitled to the rights and privileges available to the natural child of the couple concerned.
- The donor will not have any parental rights over the child.
- National and state boards for surrogacy, set up under the Bill, will regulate ART services.
Source – The Hindu
