Surrogate mothers' interests may be compromised in Indian fertility clinics

In fertility clinics and agencies in Delhi, India, none of the 14 surrogate mothers in a recent study were able to explain the risks involved in embryo transfer and fetal reduction. Also, the majority of doctors took unilateral decisions about embryo transfer and fetal reduction, and commissioning parents were usually only indirectly involved.

"The pending Indian Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill needs to be strictly enacted to regulate the clinics to follow international ethical medical standards and assure that both the rights of the surrogate mother, unborn children, and commissioning parents are secured," said Dr. Malene Tanderup, lead author of the Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica study.

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