Debate on surrogacy in budget session

NEW DELHI: The government is in the process of finalising the assisted reproduction technology bill which also addresses the issue of surrogacy. Officials said the health ministry is holding inter-ministerial discussions on the bill, which is likely to be introduced in the budget session of Parliament.

Earlier this month, the health ministry put a ban on commercial surrogacy, or renting a womb, in India. Thereafter the home ministry too decided not to grant visas to couples planning to visit India for surrogacy.

“We are inviting suggestions from concerned parties and various government departments involved in the matter,” said Soumya Swaminathan, secretary, department of health research. Swaminathan was speaking on the sidelines of a symposium organised by Switzerland Embassy. The proposed bill is likely to lay down strict conditions under which a couple can go for surrogacy in India, limiting this activity to Indians or foreigners married to Indians. At present, there is no law governing surrogacy in India.

Besides, the government is plan ning to launch a TB diagnostics kit, which is being developed by Bengaluru-based Bigtec Lab. The chipbased diagnostic technology is in the final stages of testing under the administration of the Indian Council of Medical Research. TB is considered to be the fourth leading cause of death in India.