Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology in India: A Study of Socio-Cultural, Political and Legal Issues and Current Practices

Abstract

Motherhood in Indian society defines a woman’s identity even before marriage because the preparations for a self-sacrificing life begin long before she is married. There are social, cultural and family pressures that impinge on couples (who can afford it) to use advanced technology. The repeated use of this technology is also encouraged by physicians as it is commercial and profit-making. In Indian society, where fertility is valued to the extent that womanhood is defined as motherhood, ART give hope to the infertile even though only a few can afford it. Couples that come from the higher socioeconomic group, in the search to have their own biological child, can now have a child through high technology options like IVF. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years. India has one of the highest growths in the ART centers and the number of ART cycles performed every year. There is no standardization of protocols and reporting is very inadequate. There are only ART guidelines and no law still exists. Furthermore, the moral, ethical and social issues raised by ART are unresolved.The total absence of monitoring and self-regulation can lead to the misuse of ART and related technologies. Our first and the biggest challenge is to document the tremendous work being done in India.