Altruistic Surrogacy Should Mean Surrogacy By Outsider, 'Genetically Related' Clause In 2021 Act Defeats Logic: Karnataka High Court

The provision of Surrogacy (Regulation) Act 2021 which mandates that a surrogate mother should be "genetically related" to the intending couple defeats both altruism and logic, the Karnataka High Court has observed."The words “genetically related” appearing in Section 2(1)(zg) can only mean that the child to be born through surrogacy should be genetically related to the intending couple, failing which, the words genetically related would not have any meaning if it were to be said that the surrogate mother should be genetically related to the intending couple," Justice M Nagaprasanna observed.The bench thus insisted that Altruistic surrogacy should mean- surrogacy by an outsider.In India commercial surrogacy is prohibited, but altruistic surrogacy is permitted under the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021. Section 2(1)(b) defines ‘altruistic surrogacy’. In this form of surrogacy, no charges, expenses, fees, remuneration or monetary incentive of whatever nature, except the medical expenses incurred on surrogate mother are given to the surrogate mother or her dependent or her representative.Section 2(1)(zg) defines “surrogate mother” as a woman who agrees to bear a child (who is genetically related to the intending couple or intending woman) through surrogacy from the implantation of embryo in her womb...The couple in this petition had lost its biological child and since the mother had already undergone surgery for removal of her uterus, they wished to opt for surrogacy. The petitioners were then faced with two challenges, first vis-a-vis the age of intending father who had crossed the bar of 55 years. The same was addressed by the bench by evolving a triple test for the couple. Second challenge pertained to the proposed surrogate mother, who happened to be the couple's family friend (not genetically related to the couple).Petitioners argued that in the entire process, there is no financial consideration as they are all closely knit family or like a family. However, Section 2(1)(zg) is coming in the way of them becoming parents. Counsel for the Union of India opposed the plea contending that merely because the provision does not suit the petitioners, it cannot be held to be contrary to law. "Detailed deliberations have gone into while promulgating the Act as the country had become a hub of lending a womb for surrogacy, for people in India and abroad who are affluent, who would exploit the plight of poor women, in the rural areas of the country,” it was argued.At the outset, the High Court expressed concern over the limiting nature of the provision. "The provision runs counter to the philosophy or principle behind the enactment,” it remarked.The bench observed that Altruism in its true sense signifies a situation where a person acts to promote someone else’s welfare, even at the risk or cost to themselves. Thus, if Section 2(1)(zg) of the Act is considered qua altruistic surrogacy, it would become an object of contradiction inasmuch as it mandates that the surrogate mother should be genetically related to the intending couple. "If that be so, altruism is illusory if everything happens within the family," the Court remarked.In conclusion, the bench directed the State Surrogacy Board/Appropriate Authority/Prescribed Authority to consider the couple's application for grant of an eligibility certificate, on the triple tests – genetic; physical and economical.Case Title: H Siddaraju & ANR Union of India & others.Case No: WRIT PETITION No. 5861 of 2023Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Kar) 162Date of Order: 21-04-2023Appearance: Advocate Sampath A for Petitioners.CGC M.N.Kumar FOR R1 AND R2.Click Here To Read/Download Order

Altruistic Surrogacy Should Mean Surrogacy By Outsider, 'Genetically Related' Clause In 2021 Act Defeats Logic: Karnataka High Court

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