In News: The Lok Sabha passed the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, 2020, that proposes the establishment of a national registry and registration authority for all clinics and medical professionals serving in the field.
Key Takeaways
The ART bill seeks to set minimum standards and codes of conduct for fertility clinics and egg/sperm banks.
The bill provides for the “safe and ethical practice of assisted reproductive technology services”, including egg or sperm donation, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and gestational surrogacy.
The bill also aims to introduce protections for egg donors, gestational surrogates, and children conceived through ART services.
Offences under the bill include
Clinics offering sex selection
Abandoning or exploiting children born through ART
Selling, buying, or importing of human embryos,
Exploiting the couple or donors concerned in any form.
Proposed jail terms for violations range from five to 12 years, and fines from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.
