Dear Osim

The issue of surrogacy and use of donor gametes is quite complex. Not only, as you mention, are there many ethical issues, but even more so legal issues.

You have to refer to your country's (India) National Health Act specifically pertaining to the use of Tissue and Gametes. It will give guidance w.r.t. the types of procedures allowed, "ownership" (sperm, eggs, embryos) and if payment is allowed. These are all highly complex issues, and even more so when cross border sourcing plays a role. There are lots of literature available (e.g. ESHRE etc.), but ultimately you must try and establish what the stance is of your own country and the societies governing it in India.

Good luck.

Dear Stefan S Du Plessis ,

Thank you so much for your awell articulated suggestions.Now,I got the bsic idea pertaining to the issue.

Regards!!

Osim

Dear Osim,

The Catholic Church teaches that artificial contraception (sex with no children) and artificial conception (children with no sex) violate the procreative and unitive ends of the marital act. Both are considered to unnatural and immoral for all people of good will, not just Catholics. I would recommend that you "google" and read Humane Vitae (Pope Paul VI), Donum Vitae (Saint Pope John Paul II), and Dignitas Personae (Pope Benedict XVI) who clearly defend natural law and the natural order in order to protect human life that should be conceived within marriage and from the marital act itself in order to protect the dignity of each new child that is conceived. The unnatural use of the conjugal act outside of marriage (i.e., rape, incest, adultery, pre-marital sex) or outside of the marital act (i.e., artificial reproductive techniques (ARTs) such as IVF, surrogacy, cloning, etc.) are generally harmful to society, especially to women and to unborn children. Surrogates are very often forced to abort unwanted "surplus" pregnancies and/or "surplus" IVF newborns are "sold" on the black market, etc.) IVF embryos/children are persons - not property - and they should never be ordered, bought, and sold as commercial products. Germany passed an Embryo Proctection Act in 1990 that prohibits harming human embryos, and Italy has recently prohibited destructive embryonic research.

These are very important issues and I am aware that there has been much thought and commentary on many of these issues already in India which I am sure that you know through your research. Through experience working for more than 20 years working in surrogacy in Australia I am also aware that there has much thought, discussion and written on surrogacy here. Also in Europe, as has been mentioned above, and the USA and Canada which you would also have seen through your research. I am pleased that you are interested and would be happy to help you. It is however not possible to write in the detail required here because of the complexity of the issues and lack of space, but if you wanted to contact me directly with any questions I would be happy to reply. (You can see on my website www.counsellingplace.com.au that I have significant experience in this area) Miranda Montrone. [email protected]

dear Elizabeth,

as much as I respect your opinion on contraception and ART, I must mention that the rejection of "artificial" contraception is largely responsible for the massive overpopulation of our planet. This overpopulation is exhausting our planet, causing climate change, migration and wars. The catholic popes are heavely responsible, and their prohibition of "artificial" contraception is no less than criminal. There is a human right (art 8) that states that you can and may not interfere with individual privacy. This includes the right to decide for every person or couple on having, or not having childern. I have been working for 9 years as a steering comitee member of the WHO on reproduction. Couples who are unable to conceive the "natural " way, because of congenital or aquired diseases, have the fundamental human right to choose for a treatment which can result in conception and pregnancy with the birth of offspring. The catholic, nor any church may rule against the fundamental human rights. It is the medico-legal ethics that must decide on what is to be alowed, and what is agaianst human dignity. Finally, to argue on the basis of possible abuse (the "slippery slope" argument) is scientifically and morally absurd and unacceptable, and must absolutely be rejected.

Assisted Reproductive Technology in the commercial field is very productive. However, there are a lot of ethical, biological, and legal issues. Not even in India, there are lots of issues in other countries like the USA, CANADA too.

Somehow we researchers are being a little more focused on productivity rather than the natural process. There must be some legal process in the commercialized field, it would be better for the whole system.