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Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill, 2020

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February 21, 2020

Why in News?

The Cabinet cleared the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Regulation Bill, 2020 that aims to regulate assisted reproductive technology services.

Why such a Bill is needed?

  • India is among countries that have seen highest growth in the number of ART centres and ART cycles performed every year.
  • Among Asian countries, India’s ART market is pegged at third position.
  • ART, including In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), has given hope to persons suffering from infertility to achieve pregnancy, leading to safe delivery.
  • But it has also brought in a plethora of legal, ethical and social issues.
  • However, there is no standardisation of protocols yet in the country and reporting is still very inadequate.
  • The need to regulate ART services is mainly to protect the affected women and children from exploitation.

What are the provisions of the Bill?

  • National Board - This will be constituted to lay down a code of conduct to be observed by persons working at clinics.
  • It will set minimum standards of physical infrastructure, laboratory and diagnostic equipment and expert manpower to be employed by clinics and banks.
  • States and Union Territories shall constitute State Boards and State Authorities after the notification of the Central government.
  • National Registry and Registration Authority will be formed to maintain a central database through which details of all clinics and banks will be obtained on a regular basis
  • It will also assist the National Board in its functioning.
  • Punishment - The Bill proposes stringent punishment for sex selection, sale of human gametes, and agencies behind such unlawful practices.
  • In the first instance, the person will be fined Rs 10 lakh and in second instance, the person shall be imprisoned for up to 12 years.
  • Confidentiality - The Bill will also ensure confidentiality of intending couples and protect the rights of the child.

What are the concerns?

  • The ART Bill came after the Surrogacy Bill that it should have preceded.
  • A market projection said the size of the ART market is expected to reach $45 billion by 2026.
  • A lack of regulation and the consequent laxity in operations was the concern which drove a lot of traffic from other nations to India.
  • This, in turn, along with the relatively low costs, led to the mushrooming of unethical ART clinics across the country.

What is next?

  • The ART Bill 2020 does impinge on surrogacy too.
  • So, the government must work on ensuring synchrony in both the ART Bill and the Surrogacy Bill.
  • Having come this far to ensure the reproductive rights of women, the state now has the thriving ART industry on a leash.

 

Source: The Hindu, Indian Express

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