Oocyte Racket Raises Questions Over Safeguards
The alleged oocyte donation racket has renewed concerns over safeguards in fertility treatment and adoption, with experts warning of possible exploitation of vulnerable women, children and prospective parents.
Hyderabad: The oocyte donation racket has raised questions about safeguards in fertility treatment and adoption, as experts warn that vulnerable women, children and prospective parents may be exposed to exploitation.
Egg donation is regulated by the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, while adoption is governed by the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) under the Juvenile Justice Act and Adoption Regulations, 2022.
Experts say the alleged racket has renewed concerns about couples turning to illegal channels for egg donation and adoption.
The ART Act sets out requirements for clinics and banks covering donor recruitment, medical screening, egg retrieval and the use of donated eggs.
A woman donating eggs must be aged 23 to 35 and may donate only once in her lifetime, said fertility specialist Dr Niharika.
The process includes medical evaluation, hormonal stimulation and egg retrieval under professional supervision.
Repeated hormonal stimulation and retrieval can pose health risks, including complications related to anaesthesia.
Experts said demand for fertility treatment has grown amid reproductive health conditions and lifestyle factors, while the alleged use of intermediaries to recruit women for commercial egg donation raises concerns about compliance with safeguards.
Adoption, meanwhile, requires prospective parents to register on CARA’s CARINGS portal and undergo document verification, a home study and other checks.
A child must also be declared legally free for adoption after due inquiry, said Child Welfare Committee chairman A. Raja Reddy.
The process can take years, depending on the availability of children, applicants’ seniority and preferences, he said.
Raja Reddy called for prescribed timelines for each stage, including completion of the home study report after applicants submit the required documents.
FIRs registered by Begumpet and Saroornagar police in connection with the racket name four fertility centres: Padmaja Fertility Centre, Narmada Fertility Centre, Oasis Fertility Centre and Fertilica Fertility.
Any involvement by the centres remains subject to investigation and independent verification.
