Centre Allows Donor Gametes in Surrogacy Rules

Source-This post on Centre Allows Donor Gametes in Surrogacy Rules is based on the article “Centre amends surrogacy rules, allows couples with medical conditions to use donor gametes” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd February 2024.

Why in the News?

The Centre has recently amended the 2022 surrogacy rules, allowing couples to utilize donor gametes. This overturns the ban on donor gametes that was imposed in March 2023.

The amendment comes after the Supreme Court had last year questioned the earlier rules while hearing petitions from several women.

What are the latest amendments to the 2022 Surrogacy Rules?

1. Medical condition certification of intended couple– According to the latest amendments, if the District Medical Board certifies that either the husband or wife in the intending couple has a medical condition that requires the use of a donor gamete, then surrogacy using a donor gamete is permitted.

Note- Gametes are reproductive cells that unite during sexual reproduction to create a new individual. In humans, gametes include sperm cells (from males) and egg cells (from females).

2. At least one gamete from the intending couple– The use of a donor gamete is permissible under the condition that the child born through surrogacy must possess at least one gamete from the intending couple.

3. Single woman (widow or divorcee) directive- The rules also state that a single woman (widow or divorcee) choosing surrogacy must use her own eggs and donor sperm for the procedure.

What is Surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a legal arrangement in which a woman carries and gives birth to a child for another individual or couple, who are often unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term themselves.

UPSC Syllabus- Polity and Nation (Bills and Acts)