I am responding to an article dated 16th December, 2013 posted on Articlesbase under the caption health medical tourism written by Sanjaygupta. It is entitled ‘Go Surrogacy India a place to where dreams come true.’ The author’s argument advances that the options offered for surrogacy in Indian are phenomenal because the process is 100% successful; far less expensive than when conducted in United States of America and other developed countries; laws are more parent-friendly; quality of treatment is internationally compatible and surrogates are easier to find (Sanjaygupta, 2013). This is definitely commendable, but the article while discussing the advantages of surrogacy India; disadvantages linked to the process must be explored also. Consequently, let me offer some perspectives on the missing aspects of surrogacy, which were not addressed in the article.
My subsequent research has revealed two important issues, which may not be as beneficial to surrogacy India espoused by the author. First, surrogacy involves in vitro fertilization (IVF). This is a very tedious procedure whether conducted in India or any other place in the world. Hence, the real outcome must be considered and mentioned when advertising benefits of obtaining surrogacy in India. The author contends that this process is 100% successful. However, there are statistics to prove that the likelihood of a woman giving birth to a live baby is as follows:
- Under 35 years old – 41 to 42%.
- Between 35 and 37 years – 31to 33%.
- Between 38 and 40 years- 21to 23%.
- Over 41 years -11 to13%.
(Jadva, Murray, Lycett, MacCallum & Golombok, 2003, p. 2196 ).
These figures clearly indicate that an obvious disadvantage is the woman’s age.
Secondly, there five steps involved when executing an in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. First, prospective mothers undergo stimulation treatment when drugs are administered to promote ovulation. This procedure initiates multiple pregnancies apart from the woman adversely reacting to hormones used in the treatment. Surgical retrieval of the egg is the next step. Cramping along with severe bleeding usually occurs during this procedure. Insemination and fertilization denotes the third phase whereby the woman’s egg and man’s sperm unite in a laboratory dish. Fourthly, is culture of the embryo whereby scientists evaluate abnormalities and growth in determining its normalcy.
While this process has no direct side effect on the prospective parents waiting to hear the results brings emotional uneasiness. Finally, transfer of the embryo is performed, which again produces severe cramping and bleeding requiring medical attention. Importantly, these issues regarding surrogacy ought to be discussed also in any article promoting the practice (Jadva et.al, 2003).
In concluding my letter it must be reiterated that the public deserves a balanced view point on any topic. While it is a great advertisement promoting the advantages of surrogate India programs available to women across the globe we need to hear about when the procedure does not emerge as planned or expected how surrogate India addresses these issues because in discussing the advantages of surrogacy India; disadvantages linked to the process must be explored also.
References
Sanjaygupta (16th December, 2013). Go Surrogacy India a place to where dreams come true.
ArticlesBase
Jadva, V. Murray, C, Lycett, E. MacCallum, F., & Golombok, S. (2003). Surrogacy: the
experiences of surrogate mothers. Hum. Reprod. 18 (10); 2196–204
