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TRANSCRIPT
One day National seminar
on
“Surrogacy, the Reproductive Technology: Socio-Legal & Ethical Perspectives”
Organized by
Department of Law,
School of Legal Studies,
BBAU, Lucknow.
Seminar Report
In very brief I am presenting the report of this one day National seminar on “Surrogacy, the
Reproductive Technology: Socio-Legal & Ethical Perspectives” Organized by Department of
Law, School of Legal Studies, BBAU, Lucknow.
The title of this seminar is “surrogacy, the Reproductive Technology: Socio-Legal & Ethical
Perspectives” the topic encompasses within itself the Medico-Legal Aspect of surrogacy which is
Assisted Reproductive Technology as well as its Social, Economic, Psychological and Ethical-
Moral aspects. The whole seminar was divided into four sessions i.e. Inaugural Session, Panel
Discussion session, Two Technical Session And the Valedictory Session.
The inaugural ceremony of the one day national seminar on “surrogacy the Reproductive
Technology: socio-legal & ethical perspectives” commenced with the lighting of lamp & floral
tribute by a group of degnitaries- chief guest Prof. Mehrajuddin Mir (VC, Central University
Kashmir), Prof. S.K. Bhatnagar (Dean, SLS, BBAU), Prof. Priti Saxena (Head, DHR,
BBAU),Prof Sudarshan Verma (Head, DL, BBAU), Prof. DK Srivastava (Law school, BHU).
The program was followed by Kul- Geet of University.
Prof. Sudarshan Verma formally welcomed all the dignitaries present of the dais and
participants from various Universities. She mentioned about socio – legal ethical issues
on surrogacy AND mentioned that how foreigner hire a womb of poor woman for child.
Dr. Sufiya Ahmed gave introduction about the theme of seminar, said about infertility
and incapacity of men & women and mentioned that surrogacy is high-tech child in
Rented womb, followed with existing legal regimes & case laws and also said that, it is
not restricted to medical only but socio-legal, ethical controversies too.
Dr. Preeti Mishra gave introduction of Guests, by bio-data, of our chief guest, Prof.
Mehrajuddin Mir & key-note seaker Prof. D.K. Srivastava.
Prof. D.K. Srivastava gave key note speech, in which he mentioned that how surrogacy is
commercialized & became industry; he mentioned that there is no legislation is regulate
surrogacy, but there is a guideline which is binding or not is doubtful & very precisely,
gave comparative study/ keynote of existing guideline i.e. ART & surrogacy regulation
bill 2016.
In her address, Prof. Priti Saxena, mentioned the need of surrogacy with existing case
laws, & ethical-legal aspects of surrogacy & talked about the status of commercial
surrogacy in different countries.
In this address, Pof. S.K. Bhatnagar, mentioned women’s personal sights, & criticized the
surrogacy Regulation Bill 2016, but also appreciate its few points such as single
men/women is not allowed for surrogacy & age limitation & strongly opposed the “close
relative’ concept in SRB- 2016.
In his address, our chief guest Prof. Mehrajuddin Mir mentioned the emotion of women
with child, talked about Anand Hospital, Gujrat; analyzed the Surrogacy Regulation Bill
2016; mentioned, not only legal but moral & ethical issues too; He supported some point
of Surrogacy Regulation Bill- 2016, Such as the registration of surrogacy clinic, parents
etc; to maintain record since 25 year, the circumstances faced by surrogate mother.
In his Presidential Remarks Hon’ble Vice Chancellor mentioned that infertility may be by
any reason, surrogacy comes as a solution for it & Technology plays & very important
role, but the main problem is misuses of that technology i.e. commercialized of it he also
explained ethical aspects of surrogacy the scientific procedure of surrogacy & Bio-
Technological aspect of ART.
In the end, Dr. Anis Ahmad, offered a vote of thanks to all.
After that, the panel discussion was started. The panelist of this session were Prof.
Rakesh Chandra, Prof, Mandakini Pradhan, Prof. D. K. Srivastava, Prof. anuradha
Bannerji, Shams Khwaja and Prof. M.Y.khan,
I feel pleasure to announce that more than 120 research papers have been received by me
which cover almost all the concerned sub themes.
The first technical session of the seminar started at sharp 2:30 p.m. with the plenary
lecture of Dr M. P. Verma from Meerut College on the topic “ART and Surrogacy
Arrangement: Some Human Right Concern”.
This first technical session was chaired by Prof Rakesh Singh, Dean, Faculty of Law,
University of Lucknow and co-chaired by Dr. M. P. Verma, Department of Law, Meerut
College, Meerut. The theme of technical session was “Issues related to Surrogacy and
Fertility Tourism”. 48 research papers were presented by the participants in this session
which were related to very serious issues on surrogacy few were very good on topics like
– “The Socio-Legal challenges of Surrogacy” , “Legality of Surrogacy in India” ,
“Motherhood, Reproduction and Surrogacy: A Feminist Perspective” , “Surrogacy and
Statelessness” , “Surrogacy Bill 2016 and Its Critical Analysis” , “Regulation Around
The Womb: Dilemma of Commercial And Altruistic Surrogacy” , “Surrogate
Motherhood: An Analysis from Kant’s Philosophy” , “Rights of the Parties involved in
Surrogacy Agreement” , “Surrogacy and Child Rights: On Other Side Of Wall”,
Surrogacy: A Feminist Analysis Medicalisation, Commodification and Technological
colonization of the Female Body” , “Fertility tourism seeking Surrogacy in India” and
“Surrogacy Transaction: A Perspective on the Constitutional and Contractual Aspects”
etc.
The second technical session of the seminar also ran parallel to the first session on the
theme “Surrogacy Regulation Bill 2016:Critical Analysis” and the session was
chaired by Prof. Preeti Saxena, Head Department of Human Rights, BBAU, Lucknow
and co-chaired by DR. Preeti Mishra, Associate. Prof., DHR, BBAU Lucknow. In this
session 47 research papers were presented by Professors, Research scholars and students
of various renowned Universities and Colleges on the topics as follows:-The Surrogacy
Regulation Bill 2016 And its Critical Analysis, The Surrogacy(Regulation) Bill
2016:India Trying To Turn The Clock Back, Reproductive Right of Women And
Surrogacy in India, Surrogacy :Exploring The Myriad Biological And Ethical Quandaries
Centripital To The Phenomenon, The High Tech Child in Rented womb: Reproductive
Technology And Legal Development In India, Effect of Surrogacy Bill on Medical
Tourism in India, Surrogacy and Surrogate Motherhood, Legislation and the Role of The
Judiciary: Bridging the Gap Between Regulation And Social Practise in the Context of
Surrogacy, Surrogacy : Kharid-Farokht of Vatsalya , Surrogacy : exploitation of one
mother for the desire of another &, Surrogacy: A Legal Perspective Admist Cacophony
of Voice etc.
The young teachers and research scholars have shown keen interest in deep and intensive
research on the topic. They have intended very convincing suggestions. These all will be
sent to concerned authorities of government of India. Some of these suggestions are-
1. Immediate passing of ART bill so that the entire phenomena may be regulated.
2. The needy persons who carry stigma of infertility should be allowed to avail surrogacy.
3. Sex selection should be strictly prohibited.
4. Many scholars have expressed their view against commercialization of surrogacy.
5. There are many specific suggestions regarding amendment of newly drafted Surrogacy
Regulation Bill 2016.
The surrogacy is leading too many serious issues which include human
trafficking, health problems and exploitation of surrogate mothers and children. That’s why an
efficient legislation is urgently required which may deal with the various issues involved in
surrogacy arrangement. I am confident that this One Day National Seminar will be proved to be
useful and helpful in formulating healthy ART & surrogacy Legislation in India. Once again I
appreciate and congratulate you all.
The valedictory session was started 5:00 PM wherein the chief guest of the session
Hon’ble Justice Vijaya Laxmi, Allahabad High Court has discussed in her address the
cases laws relating to surrogacy. Valedictory address was delivered by prof. S. P. Garg.
Last but not the least I feel very happy to announce that the organizers have planned to
publish a book on surrogacy. All the quality research papers will be soon published in the
form of a book with ISBN.
Thank you very much
Organising Secretary
Dr. Sufiya Ahmed