Caste and religion are also key factors while renting wombs: study
Beautiful and fair — words traditionally synonymous with brides — are being used for renting a womb. For, not only are “healthy, beautiful, fair and higher caste or Brahmin’’ surrogates in great demand, they also receive good payment in cash and kind from the commissioning parents after delivery.
Doctors and agents have confirmed — in a study by Sama, a Delhi-based resource group working on women’s and health issues — that there were preferred criteria set by the commissioning parents, such as ‘higher caste,’ Brahmins and a particular religion, often directed by their own identity. Commissioning parents shower gifts on surrogate mothers for producing healthy and good-looking babies.
Recruitment of surrogates is largely carried out by local surrogacy agents or corporate surrogacy consultants. In some situations, the women approached the clinics and fertility centre directly, following information from acquaintances and neighbours.
“Though the unregulated surrogacy industry in India is booming, there hasn’t been a comprehensive, simultaneous civil society response to the practice. As such, the practice of commercial surrogacy in India raises several concerns, requiring a significant gap to be filled in the advocacy for the health and rights of women who choose to be surrogates and egg donors,’’ remark N. Sarojini and Tarang Mahajan of Sama. In the Indian context, want of regulation, comparatively lower cost with regard to many of the developed countries that allow surrogacy, less waiting time, possibility of close monitoring of surrogates by the commissioning couples, availability of a large pool of women willing to be surrogates, and a good medical infrastructure have created a conducive environment for the expansion of the industry, the study says.
The study was conducted in Delhi and Punjab between December 2011 and April 2012. It found that surrogates had low levels of education, and almost all had taken up low-paying informal, casual work.
Not informed
The information given to surrogates at the time of making the decision to become surrogates was geared towards emphasising that no sexual relations were involved in the process of conception, the altruistic appeal of providing someone with the ‘greatest gift’ and that the sum of money paid would be helpful for them. “The surrogates weren’t given information regarding the various procedures conducted in the course of treatment. No consent was taken regarding decisions such as multiple embryo transfer, fetal reduction, caesarean section delivery and the surrogates were simply informed that they would have to undergo these procedures. Additionally, no information regarding possible effects on health or risks was provided,” Ms. Sarojini said.
The necessity for the course the procedure takes is questionable, given that many technologies are selected, guided by the concern to secure a healthy child.
Keywords: Surrogate mothers, commissioning parents, social issue, preferred criteria, caste preferences
Surrogate motherhood is questionable as it prevents mother-child bond that forms
when Oxytocin and other chemicals are released during pregnancy and when giving
birth.
But if one anyway chooses a surrogate, finding a suitable mother makes sense.
Recent research has shown that cells move from foetus to mother during pregnancy
(and fortify the mother so that survival chances of the child increase due to a
stronger mother. Perhaps cells move the other way also - that has not been
confirmed.
Also it has been found that foetus development is affected by the experiences of the
parents and grandparents - not just their genes. For example grandchildren of Polish
who were starved durning world war 1 and 2, have been found to be smaller, and
they grow up into adults who are smaller. It is not known whether this is passed on
through protein markers on the genes, or by genetic expression of the foetus being
tuned by biochemical markers in parent metabolism of the mother.
First on 'beautiful and fair', from my personal experience even Moms
favor fair child for a one with a darker tan irrespective of their
potentials. Further, when the child grows into an adult the fair and
good-looking child is showered with offers for marriage but the dark
one has to be contended with what was thrown at him (I'm talking only
of the male children). Irrespective of the surrogate being white or
black, the child is going to be resembling the owner of DNA. So, the
preference in this regard is just due to ignorance. If one thing, the
commissioning parents should be sure of any ailments (diabetes,
cancer) the surrogate may have and their unhealthy habits.
From, the events in India where every regulations is twisted to favor
a few I'm inclined to let this evolve by itself. After all, everyone
is benefited. Problems would arise only when the surrogate is cheated
of the sum she was promised or let in a limbo during pregnancy, which
is unlikely (healthy child, remember!)
Many of us are ready to welcome and accept any thing for huge and
quick money. Running a fertility clinic to promote Surrogacy is one
such thing. These clinics and their brokers neither understand nor
bother about the legal, ethical, moral, social and healthcare aspects
involved in surrogacy. They go after the quick money and lure a
gullible woman. The Govt., MCI, Courts, Sociologist, NGOs and
Activists for social causes are either ignorant of such things or
acting blind. WE have a law for the last 15 years to regulate the
Transplantation of Human Organs, there is no separate law available to
regulate the practice of hiring or renting a womb of a woman. These
people may enter in to a "contract" which binds the surrogate mother
and the other man hiring her womb. Neither the hospital nor the
brokers are parties to this "contract". As per Indian Contract Act the
aim of a contract must not be illegal or immoral or opposed to public
policy. Does Surrogacy qualifies these terms?
With surrogacy industry is gaining ground in India,so are the ethical and moral concerns against the practice.I have seen a documentary in the ntional Geographic Channel potraying the the complete event of surrogacy.The grim poor stricken picture of some women subjected to this parctice adds some points to justify it hence the money generated from the same can be of highly helpful to them to be happy in their rest of the life.What is more it hase been noticed that the surrogate mothers are well looked after till the birth of the baby.
On the other hand,i feel the practice itself is blot to Indian culture.If there is no poverty in India ,would any one be ready for such a thing?It is all for money to alleviate the poverty that is languishing poeple in the rural, impoverished areas of our country.
According to Indian culture ,getting preganant from the life partneris something pious and sacred.If there should be any change in the scenario,it is upto the government alternatives.
To put right it must be 'fair and beautiful.'
The issue of fair vs. dark is an age old one. However that is not reason
enough to legitimize it or talk about either its use or misuse. We need
to change... and each micro effort in this direction has to be in the
singular. With many such pockets at work, I'm sure, things will surely,
though slowly start improving. Hopefully, soon enough, there will be an
India devoid of such discrimination. So folks, use your influence, no
matter how miniscule, and start the change. Now.
Please Email the Editor