Sunday, July 14, 2002
Indian council pushes reproductive rights for domestic partners and single moms
A story published by the Times of India reports that the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended that the reproductive rights of same-sex couples and single mothers be recognized.
The change can be effected only if the government accepts the proposal.
The suggestion is part of a draft guidelines prepared by the ICMR to regularize the working of infertility clinics. Apart from proposing the setting up of a national accreditation agency and a national database of donors of eggs and sperms, the document states that "single, unmarried women or same sex couples" should be allowed to use artificial reproductive techniques (ARTs) to have babies.
According to committee member Dr. N C Saxena of ICMR, "We have no business to discourage anybody who desires to have a child." He, however, clarified that the committee had not reached a consensus on the ethical and legal guidelines.
