Surrogacy as a Growing Practice and a Controversial Reality in India: Exploring New Issues for Further Researches

Surrogacy is a burning issue in India and has often been denounced as exploitation of vulnerable women. However, it remains very poorly documented. The few existing social research studies show that India has become a top world destination for surrogacy due to strong demand, especially from foreigners, and the significant supply opportunity for poor Indian women. The issue is nevertheless a very controversial and complex one due to the specific medical, social and gender context in the subcontinent. Despite the growing media and scientific interest, and the proliferation of specialized clinics and agencies, surrogacy remains a very taboo and little known practice associated with women’s adultery. Surrogacy confronts the stigmatization of childlessness on the one hand and exposure of the reproductive female body on the other hand. Recent political change may improve surrogacy conditions and avoid possible exploitation, but at the same time it may reduce the reproductive rights opportunity for infertile people and the commercial benefit for clinics and agencies, which may not adhere to new guidelines as long as there is no law regulating surrogacy.