Take people view on surrogacy bill: Experts

Eminent speakers led by former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee have called upon the Centre to seek the views of the public on the proposed bill on surrogacy before enacting the new law.

Speaking at an international seminar on ‘Long Road to surrogacy, legal challenges — the way ahead’ held on Saturday, the participants referred to the Union Cabinet giving its nod for introduction of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, and said the proposed law ought to be put in the public domain for getting viewpoints of stakeholders before the Parliament debated on it.

Mr Sorabjee said democratically, all perspectives should be considered before final decisions were taken.

The view of the government should not be superimposed over the will of the people, he added.

Frank Thierfelder, head of legal and consular department at German Embassy in Delhi, Ms Molshree A. Sharma, attorney at law, Chicago partner Mandel Lipton, Roseborough, presented legal issues for foreign prospective parents visiting India for surrogacy and existing position of US laws on surrogacy and conflicts which have arisen on account of changes in Indian law.

Dr Rita Bakshi, IVF and fertility specialist gave the perspective of the medical community on the issue of surrogacy.

Senior advocates Anil Malhotra and Ranjit Malhotra gave an overview of the surrogacy industry in India and the future outlook and what made India the most favoured destination for most foreign couples seeking surrogacy.