Letters: Protect surrogates

With reference to Archis Mohan and Veena Mani's article, "Draft Bill to ban commercial surrogacy" (August 25) the "altruistic surrogacy" provisions of the Bill are in line with the Indian social ethos. The ethical stand here is the child is not a product of transaction, that is, it prohibits commodifying childbirth.

However, some issues require strong vigil. Post-natal care of the surrogate mother is important, as complications during pregnancy can turn fatal. There are instances of implantation of multiple embryos for higher chances of success. Unplanned twins or a weak child are sometimes abandoned. There are also chances of commercial surrogacy going underground, or surrogate mothers getting trafficked to other countries. Such instances can jeopardise the safety and security of surrogates. With a proper enforcement mechanism in place, the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, can become a much-needed framework for the hitherto unregulated sector.

Sachin V K Jadhav Washim

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