NEW DELHI: India’s government said on Wednesday it would ban foreigners from using surrogate mothers in the country, a move likely to hit the booming commercial surrogacy industry.

Ranks of childless foreign couples have flocked to the country in recent years looking for a cheap, legal and simple route to parenthood. Health industry estimates put the size of India’s surrogacy business at nine billion rupees ($138m) and growing at 20 per cent a year.

But critics have said a lack of legislation encourages exploitation of young, poor Indian women.

In an affidavit to the Supreme Court on Wednesday the government said it “does not support commercial surrogacy”.

“No foreigners can avail surrogacy services in India,” it told the court, which is hearing a petition regarding the industry, adding that surrogacy would be available “only for Indian couples”.

India, with cheap technology, skilled doctors and a steady supply of local surrogates, is one of relatively few countries where women can be paid to carry another’s child.

Surrogacy for profit is illegal in many other countries.

The process usually involves in-vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer, leading to a rise in fertility centres offering such services. The cost of surrogacy in India generally ranges from about $18,000 to $30,000, of which around $8,000 goes to the surrogate mother. The figure is roughly a third of the US price.

Published in Dawn October 29th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play