Daily Current Affairs : 25-January-2024

The Union Health Ministry of India is taking important steps to gather data about surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology (ART) in the country. This involves collecting information from all States and Union Territories. The focus is on understanding how many couples and single or unmarried women have successfully used these services under the Surrogacy Act, 2021, and the ART Act, 2021.

Understanding the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021

The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 is a significant law that aims to regulate surrogacy practices in India. Here are some key points about this law:

  • Promotion of Surrogacy: The Act encourages ethical surrogacy arrangements, ensuring that intended parents and surrogate mothers are protected.
  • Prohibition of Commercial Surrogacy: The law strictly prohibits the practice of commercial surrogacy, which involves paying a surrogate mother beyond reasonable expenses.
  • Regulation of IVF Clinics: It also sets standards for in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics, ensuring they operate ethically and safely.

Purpose of the ART Act, 2021

The ART Act, 2021 focuses on the regulation and supervision of ART clinics and banks. Its goals include:

  • Safety and Ethics: The Act ensures that all ART practices are conducted safely and ethically, protecting the rights of both the patients and the donors.
  • Supervision of Clinics: It establishes guidelines for ART clinics, ensuring they meet health and safety standards.

Importance of Data Collection

The data requested by the Union Health Ministry is crucial for several reasons:

  • Policy Development: Accurate data will help the government create informed policies regarding reproductive technologies.
  • Monitoring Practices: It allows for better monitoring of how these services are being utilized and whether they are meeting the needs of the public.
  • Improving Access: Understanding who uses these services can help improve access for those who may need them, such as single women or couples facing infertility.

Important Points:

Overview of Surrogacy and ART Regulations in India
  • The Union Health Ministry is collecting data on surrogacy and assisted reproductive technology (ART).
  • Information is being gathered from all States and Union Territories.
Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021
  • Promotes Ethical Surrogacy: Protects intended parents and surrogate mothers.
  • Prohibits Commercial Surrogacy: Prevents payment beyond reasonable expenses.
  • Regulates IVF Clinics: Establishes standards for safe and ethical operation.
Purpose of the ART Act, 2021
  • Ensures Safety and Ethics: Protects rights of patients and donors in ART practices.
  • Supervises Clinics: Sets guidelines for ART clinics to meet health and safety standards.
Importance of Data Collection
  • Informs Policy Development: Helps create informed policies regarding reproductive technologies.
  • Monitors Practices: Aids in assessing the utilization of surrogacy and ART services.
  • Improves Access: Identifies needs of single women and couples facing infertility.

Why In News

The Union Health Ministry has requested data from all States and Union Territories regarding the number of couples and single or unmarried women who have successfully availed themselves of surrogacy under the Surrogacy Act, 2021, as well as the number of couples and single women who have opted for Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) under the ART Act, 2021, in order to better understand the usage and impact of these reproductive options across the country.

MCQs about Surrogacy and ART Regulations in India

  1. What is the main purpose of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021?
    A. To promote commercial surrogacy
    B. To regulate and promote ethical surrogacy
    C. To ban all forms of surrogacy
    D. To encourage international surrogacy
    Correct Answer: B. To regulate and promote ethical surrogacy
    Explanation: The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021 aims to regulate and promote ethical surrogacy practices while prohibiting commercial surrogacy.
  2. What does the ART Act, 2021 primarily focus on?
    A. Prohibiting all reproductive technologies
    B. Regulating and supervising ART clinics and banks
    C. Promoting natural conception methods
    D. Encouraging the use of surrogacy
    Correct Answer: B. Regulating and supervising ART clinics and banks
    Explanation: The ART Act, 2021 is designed to regulate and supervise assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics and banks to ensure they operate safely and ethically.
  3. Why is the Union Health Ministry collecting data on surrogacy and ART?
    A. To limit the number of ART clinics
    B. To inform policy development and improve access
    C. To promote international adoption
    D. To ban surrogacy practices
    Correct Answer: B. To inform policy development and improve access
    Explanation: The data collection aims to inform policy development regarding reproductive technologies and improve access for those who may need these services.
  4. Which of the following statements is true regarding the data collection requested by the Union Health Ministry?
    A. It focuses solely on married couples
    B. It seeks information only from urban areas
    C. It includes data from both couples and single women
    D. It is not related to reproductive technologies
    Correct Answer: C. It includes data from both couples and single women
    Explanation: The data collection includes information from both couples and single or unmarried women who have utilized surrogacy or ART services under the respective Acts.

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