The National Commission for Women (NCW) has set up three expert groups to analyze the ethical, legal, and medical aspects of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services. This initiative, led by NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, focuses on safeguarding women’s reproductive rights. The Expert Committee’s inaugural meeting delved into a comprehensive review of the ethical, legal, and medical dimensions associated with ART and IVF services in the country.
Members of the Expert Committee, including Justice (Retd.) Asha Menon, Chairperson of the Committee, and Richa Saxena from the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, participated in the meeting. The gathering brought together experts from various fields like the judiciary, medical sector, legal profession, public administration, and social sector. Discussions centered on the evolving ART and IVF landscape, emphasizing the necessity of a balanced, rights-based regulatory framework.
To delve deeper into issues related to ART and IVF services, the Expert Committee decided to form three thematic groups. The Ethical Group will focus on matters such as informed consent, reproductive autonomy, privacy, donor management, and prevention of exploitation, all aimed at protecting women’s reproductive rights. The Legislative and Regulatory Group will assess the current legal framework, enforcement gaps, and recommend reforms, while the Medical and Preventive Group will look into clinical protocols, patient safety, quality standards, and preventive measures in ART and IVF services.
