Legislation on Assisted Reproductive Technology proposed by the ICMR discussed

Oct 29 2009

What happens when intended parents cross international borders to pursue assisted reproductive technologies?

Vinay Menon of Mumbai, India-based law firm Menon & Associates (www.menonlawassociates.com) and Indian Counsel for Proactive Family Solutions was among the panel speakers on this topic at the Fall Conference of the American Bar Association Section of Family Law recently held in Montreal, Canada.

Menon discussed the pending legislation proposed by The Indian Counsel for Medical Research (ICMR) that would enact the Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill and Rules. The Bill covers the rights of the intended parents, donors, surrogates and the child/children. While commercial surrogacy has been legal in India since 2002, a comprehensive set of legal protocols has not previously been in place.

Vinod Sankaran, senior vice president with Proactive Family Solutions, remarked, "the Proactive Family Solutions team is happy to be fully prepared so that once the legislation passes and becomes law, there will be no disruption to the services we provide to married couples, gay partners and single intended parents because at PFS we believe that every person has the right to be a parent."

CEO Mendel Zilberberg went on to say, "Proactive Family Solutions has modeled its standards and protocols to reflect the intent of the ICMR legislation. We are glad to see the ICMR take this leap which affords protections to all of the parties involved. For intended parents pursuing assisted reproductive technologies, be it a gestational surrogate, egg donor, embryo transplant or IVF, having these standards in place can provide some sense of security in an otherwise emotionally charged journey."