Lok Sabha Passes Bill To Regulate IVF Clinics: All You Need To Know

The Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation)Bill, 2020 was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The purposes of the bill to is establish a national registry and authority for all clinics and medical professionals working in the reproductive technology field.

Mansukh Mandaviya, the Health Minister moved the Bill for passage in the lower house of the parliament. He said that the Standing Committee made several suggestions which were considered by the Government to improve the bill. It is for regulatory purpose and establishing a supervisory committee over the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinics, ART Banks and to prevent the misuse of the procedure in order to lay plans for safe adoption and ethical practices.

The Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill, 2020 Passed In Lok Sabha:

Mandaviya said, "Many such ART clinics have been running without regulation. A need was felt for regulation of such clinics as there are implications on health of those who undertake the procedure."

The opposition, Congress party's Karti Chidambaram raised objections and called the bill Victorian as it does not include lesbian, gay bisexual or transgender people. It also does not include single men who would want to exercise the right. Chidambaram also asked the central government to expend support to poor families who want to have children with ART's help.
BJP's Dr Heena Gavit said that over 80 per cent ART clinics in India are not registered and the bill sets a standard and code of conduct for the fertility clinics and sperm and egg banks. Gavit said that those involved in the trafficking of embryos of its sale will have to pay a fine of 10 lakh rupees. If they repeat the offence, they will be sent to jail for up to 12 years.

Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar of Trinamool Congress also raised objections against the Bill for its exclusion of single parents and people of the LGBTQ community. She also said that experts should be consulted at every level to monitor the provisions of the Bill. She raised the people excluded from the bill and said," They have a right to be parents too."

Many like TMC and Congress party raised the issue of how the bill did not details points for the single men and LGBTQ community. Nationalist Congress Party leader Supriya Sule in a way welcomed the bill but she also said, "I think we should not deprive any human being who deserves or wants to have a child. Why do we not put all the bright minds together.” She also added that there should be a jail term for doctors.

The government faced opposition from other members of who did not agree with the way bills are being passed in the Lower House. RSP's N.K Premachandran pointed out that the Surrogacy bill is still pending in the Rajya Sabha.

He raised the question, "How can this House pass a law that is depending upon another law." The Health Minister responded and that both the Bills will be taken up by Rajya Sabha together.

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